Dissociative Anaesthesia

Question 1

What is a Dissociative anaesthesia?

Answer 1

An anaesthetic drug that Somatic analgesia

Question 2

Dissociative anaesthetics provides somatic analgesia.

What does this mean?

Answer 2

1. Targeted Analgesia (pain relief) to the body’s tissues, muscles, bones + skin
2. Including the body wall + Skeletal muscle

Question 3

How do Dissociative anaesthetic achieve Somatic analgesia, physiologically?

Answer 3

1. Analgesia is provided to the body wall + Skeletal muscle
2. By blocking the N-Methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor (Central sensitisation)
3. Which signals the CNS
4. Interrupting the transmission of sensory signals to the cerebral cortex
5. Leading to the state of dissociation + analgesia

• It can also help prevent ‘wind-up’, as acts centrally!

Question 4

True or False.

Dissociative anaesethesia can be used synergistically with Opioids.

Answer 4

True!

Question 5

True or False.

The sedative effects of Dissociative anaesthetics last longer than their analgesic properites.

Answer 5

False.

The analgesic properties of Dissociative anaesthetics last longer than their sedative effects.

Question 6

Name the 2 methods that Dissociative anaesthetics are usually given to patients as.

Answer 6

1. Bolus
   Or
2. Infusion

Question 7

State the very low dose of Ketamine that is given as either a Bolus or Infusion.

Answer 7

5-10 ug/kg

Question 8

Name the main Dissociative Anaesthetic used in the VP

Answer 8

Ketamine