Anaesthetic drugs

Question 1

Which receptor does thiopental sodium bind?

Answer 1

GABA-A receptors

Question 2

What is the effect of thiopental sodium on the heart?

Answer 2

Negatively inotropic = decreases CO

Question 3

Main side effects of thiopental sodium?

Answer 3

Hypotension
Arrhythmias
Myocardial depression
Laryngeal spasm

Question 4

Which receptors does etomidate act upon?

Answer 4

GABA-A

Question 5

Which anaesthetic agent offers the best cardiovascular stability?

Answer 5

Etomidate

Question 6

Why is etomidate not used to maintenance of anaesthesia?

Answer 6

Causes adrenocortical suppression

Question 7

How does propofol work?

Answer 7

Potentiates effects of GABA and glycine

Question 8

By how much does propofol decrease blood pressure and systemic vascular resistance?

Answer 8

15-25%

Question 9

By how much does propofol decrease cardiac output by?

Answer 9

20%

Question 10

How does ketamine work?

Answer 10

Non-competitive antagonist of NMDA receptor Ca2+ channel pore

Question 11

What is the effect of ketamine on blood pressure?

Answer 11

Increases BP

Question 12

What type of muscle relaxant is atracurium?

Answer 12

Non-depolarising

Question 13

What does atracurium bind to?

Answer 13

Nicotinic (N2) receptors at post-synaptic membrane of NMJ

Question 14

What type of muscle relaxant is suxamethonium?

Answer 14

Depolarising

Question 15

What does suxamethonium do?

Answer 15

Inhibits action of ACh

Question 16

When is suxamethonium contraindicated?

Answer 16

First 24 hours after burns
Spinal cord injury causing paraplegia
Muscle trauma
Hyperkalaemia
Malignant hyperthermia history