Control Term 2 - Anaesthetics

Question 1

-flurane’s, NO and Xenon are examples of what type of anaesthetic agent?

Answer 1

Inhalants

Question 2

Give examples of IV anaesthetics.

Answer 2

Barbiturates, Ketamine, Etiomidate, Propafol.

Question 3

What components make up the anaesthetic triad?

HINT: Anaesthetists are like make up artists

Answer 3

M uscle relaxation
U nconsciousness
A nalgesia

Question 4

What is the Minimum Alveolar Concentration and what does it measure?

Answer 4

Minimum conc of vapour in lungs that stops a motor response in 50% of pt’s, in response to surgical stimulus or pain.

Measures anaesthetic potency for IV agents (Cp50) also used.

Question 5

Generally speaking, how do general anaesthetics work?

Answer 5

By modulating the activity of gated ion channels for neurotransmitters.

• Increase inhibitory effects
• Decrease excitatory effects

Question 6

GABA and strychnine-sensitive glycine neurotransmitters have what effect?

Answer 6

Inhibitory (so are increased by en.anaesthetics)

Question 7

Give examples of excitatory neurotransmitters?

Answer 7

5HT3, Neuronal nicotinic, Glutamate NMDA.

Question 8

What determines the offset/onset of inhalation agents?

Answer 8

The agent’s blood solubility

Question 9

What type of inhalant leads to a fast recovery and why?

Answer 9

A LOW FAT SOLUBLE ONE.

Low solubility reaches faster equilibration –> quicker onset –> fast recovery.

Question 10

What stage of anaesthetics are A) Inhalants B) Intravenous agents used for?

Answer 10

1) Maintenance (occ Induction)

2) Induction (occ maintenance)

Question 11

What is the “Hangover Effect” as applied to anaesthetics?

Answer 11

A highly fat soluble agent, with slow equilibration accumulates in fat and makes you feel hungover.

Question 12

What inhalant has a 100% MAC?

Answer 12

Nitrous Oxide

Question 13

The lower the partition coefficient of blood:gas the ____ the recovery?

Answer 13

Faster

Question 14

What are the general adverse effects of anaesthesia?

Answer 14

Vasodilation, decreased cardiac contractility, affected organ perfusion.

Question 15

What are the specific inhalant agent and iv agent adverse effects?

Answer 15

Inhalant - Malignant hyperthermia, hepatotoxicity

IV - Pain on injection, allergy

Question 16

How is unconsciousness assessed in anaesthetics?

Answer 16

Isolated forearm 
BIS monitor 
MAC level 
Clinical signs
Evoked potentials