Introducton to Anaesthesia and Analgesia

Question 1

What are the reasons for anaesthesia?

Answer 1

Restraint
Surgery
Diagnostic procedures
Therapy
Legal requirement

Question 2

Define anaesthesia…

Answer 2

Loss of sensation caused by pharmacological depression of nerve function

Question 3

What is local anaesthesia?

Answer 3

Temporary black age of sensory nerves

Question 4

What are the essential components of general anaesthesia?

Answer 4

Unconsciousness
Analgesia
Muscle relaxation
Homeostasis
Normal oxygen delivery

Question 5

What is meant by the anaesthesia triad?

Answer 5

Unconsciousness
Analgesia
Muscle relaxation

Question 6

What are some of the side effects of anaesthesia?

Answer 6

Cardiovascular and respiratory depression
Depressed homeostatic mechanisms
Specific drug effects e.g. NSAIDs and renal function

Question 7

What should be considered in a pre-anaesthetic assessment?

Answer 7

History
Physical exam
Conduct any test indicated
Results of any test
Formulate perioperative plan

Question 8

What are the anaesthesia risks in the main healthy domestic species?

Answer 8

1 in 1850 dog
1 in 900 cat
1 in 72 rabbit
1 in 100 horse

Question 9

What is anaesthesia morbidity and give some examples…

Answer 9

Pathology resulting from anaesthesia not resulting in immediate death (or within 7 days)
E.g. muscle damage, nerve damage, cerebral hypoxia, renal dysfunction

Question 10

What are the exposure limits to waste anaesthesia gases in the UK?

Answer 10

NO: 100ppm
ISO: 50ppm
SEVO: 60ppm
HALO: 10ppm

Question 11

What are the effects of exposure to nitrous oxide?

Answer 11

Inhibits DNA synthesis
Changes in bone marrow
Spinal chord degeneration in chronic exposure