General Anaesthesia

Question 1

True or False.

The patient is conscious during GA.

Answer 1

False.

They are unconscious.

Question 2

Name the 4 administration routes for administering GA

Answer 2

1. IV (most common)
2. IM (often induced this way)
3. Inhalational (how px are maintained)
4. Intra-peritoneal (IP) (rare)

Question 3

True or False.

There is 5 types of LA and it can be used in conjuction with GA.

Answer 3

True

Question 4

List the 4 stages of GA

Answer 4

1. Pre-anaesthetic
2. Induction
3. Maintenance
4. Recovery

Question 5

List the 3 stages of the Pre-anaesthetic period

Answer 5

1. Period of fasting
2. Pre-anaesthetic assessment
3. Pre-medication

Question 6

List the 2 stages of the Induction period

Answer 6

1. Administration of anaesthetic agent
2. Intubation

Question 7

What occurs during the Maintenance period?

Answer 7

1. Provision of a stable level of anaesthesia
2. To allow for surgery to occur
3. Usually inhalational

Question 8

What 2 stages occurs during the Recovery period?

Answer 8

1. Reversal of induction phase
2. Anaesthetic is eliminated from the patient’s system

Question 9

As general common sense, why is anaesthesia or causing unconsciousness dangerous?

Answer 9

You’re ssentially stopping the brain from controlling:
2. HR
3. RR
4. Metabolism
5. Etc…

Question 10

What 6 things can RVNs do to keep our patients safe?

Answer 10

1. Appropriate pre-anaesthetic assessment + history taking
2. Accurately weigh patient
3. Double check all drug doses
4. Use minimal effective doses
5. Close monitoring during ana period (Using SOPs)
6. Adequate monitoring in the recovery period

Question 11

What 4 risks do staff face when they are involved with anaesthesia?

Answer 11

1. Equipment - Heavy or Explosion of high pressure gas cylinders
2. Patient inflicted injuries
3. Accidental self-injection of drugs
4. Risk of exposure to anaesthetic agents + nitrous oxide

Question 12

What are the 6 RVN obligations when using anaesthesia?

Answer 12

1. Understand the drugs you are giving (Actions, advantages + side effects)
2. Understand the phyiosology of the anaethetised animal (HR, RR + BP etc)
3. Understand how to monitor the animal accurately
4. Know how to work the equipment you have
5. Know how to respond in an emergency
6. Know who to ask for help

Question 13

Hint: CVC…

Name the 3 things you must be, when monitoring anaesthesia?

Answer 13

1. Compassionate
2. Vilgilant
3. Cautious

Question 14

How is GA induced + maintained?

Answer 14

1. IV
2. IM
3. Inhalational
4. Intra-peritoneal (More common in SAs)

Question 15

What are the advantages of GA?

Answer 15

1. Convenience + practicality for sx team
2. Rapid loss of consciousness
3. Wide surgical field avaliable
4. Variety of sx procedures can be performed

Question 16

What are the Disadvantages of GA?

Answer 16

1. Req for restraint prior to induction
2. Stressful ^
3. Skilled admin
4. Continued monitoring
5. Degree of cardiovascular + respiratory depression