Anaesthesia Flashcards
(990 cards)
what is anaesthesia?
the reversible production of a state of unconsciousness required to perform surgery and diagnostic testing
what does anaesthesia rely on?
provision of the elements of the anaesthesia triad
what is general anaesthesia?
a state of unconsciousness produced by anaesthetic agents with absence of pain sensation over the entire body
what is regional anaesthesia?
insensibility caused by an interruption of sensory nerve conduction in any region of the body
what is local anaesthesia?
lack of sensation in a localised part of the body
define sedation
the allaying of irritability or excitement
define anxiolysis
reduced anxiety
define analgesia
reduced sensibility to pain
define narcosis
a sleep like state
define hypnosis
an artificially induced state of passivity (often used interchangeably with narcosis)
what is premedication?
a drug/combination of drugs given prior to the induction of general anaesthesia
why give premeds?
calms patients
aids restraint
provides pre-emptive analgesia
allows a reduction i induction and maintenance drugs
contributes to smooth induction and recovery
what is the sequence of events involved in general anaesthesia?
owner conversation/consent pre-operative examination checklist/ASA classification premedication induction maintenance recovery and post op. care
what happens during the pre-operative phase?
owner conversation about general wellbeing and informed consent
admission to the practice
what happens during the pre-operative examination phase?
full clinical exam
ASA classification
planning stage
what happens during the preoperative getting ready phase?
set up machine/equipment
prepare medication/drugs/fluids
place IV catheter (?)
premedicate patient
what happens during the induction phase of anaesthesia?
placement of IV catheter (if not placed before)
pre-oxygenation
administration of pre-med (if not already given)
administration of induction agent (propofol/Alfaxalone)
secure airway (ET Tube, V-Gel, LMA, Facemask)
what happens during the maintenance phase of anaesthesia?
anaesthesia is maintained throughout by gas, TIVA or injectables
potential placement of local and regional blocks
continue to surgery/diagnostic procedure
what is TIVA?
total intravenous anaesthesia
what happens during the recovery phase of anaesthesia?
cessation of gaseous maintenance/CRI/antagonism of injectable drugs (whatever is maintaining anaesthesia)
removal of airway device when safe
move to well ventilated/quiet/calm recovery area
what are the 3 elements of the anaesthetic triad?
analgesia
narcosis
muscle relaxation
can all aspects of the anaesthetic triad be achieved with one drug?
no - multi-modal approach needed
define balanced anaesthesia
anaesthesia produced by smaller doses of two or more agents considered safer than the usual large dose of a single agent
what is a key benefit of balanced anaesthesia?
side effect of each drug are reduced