Chapt 16: Regional Anesthesia - Key Terminology (Chapter 16)

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms from The Anesthesia Technologist’s Manual, Chapter 16: Regional Anesthesia.

Regional anesthesia

Blocking sensory nerve impulses in the peripheral nervous system to achieve surgical anesthesia or pain control.

Peripheral nervous system (PNS)

Nerves outside the central nervous system that transmit sensory and motor information.

Karl Koller

Pioneer of topical anesthesia in the eye during the 1880s.

Nerve stimulator

Device delivering low-voltage current to elicit nerve twitches to localize blocks.

Ultrasound-guided regional anesthesia

Real-time imaging that increases accuracy, reduces risk, and enables perineural catheter placement.

Perineural catheter

Catheter placed near a nerve to provide continuous analgesia for 2–3 days with a portable pump.

Gaston Labat

Author of the 1922 Regional Anesthesia atlas describing many blocks still in use.

Indications for regional anesthesia

Used for patients intolerant of general anesthesia; can provide perioperative analgesia or serve as the sole technique for limb surgery.

Single-injection analgesia

Analgesia lasting about 12–24 hours after a single injection.

Perineural catheter analgesia

Prolonged analgesia of 2–3 days via a catheter and continuous infusion.

Pre-block assessment

Comprehensive evaluation of surgical site suitability, comorbidities, allergies, and patient preferences.

Bleeding disorders

Contraindication or risk due to potential hematoma near major vessels during blocks.

Anticoagulants risk

In anticoagulated patients, even small vessel trauma can cause dangerous hematomas.

Phrenic nerve block

Blockade that can cause hemidiaphragm paralysis, especially with certain blocks like interscalene.

Preexisting nerve injury

Focal neuropathies may worsen; global neuropathies require caution due to local anesthetic toxicity.

Local anesthetic allergies

Rare with amides; more common with esters or preservatives; liver disease can affect amide metabolism.

Infection at block site

Infection at the needle/catheter site can lead to abscess or permanent nerve injury.

Informed consent

Documented discussion of benefits, risks, and procedure details, including site marking.

Block room setup

Dedicated area with airway management, monitoring, block carts, and emergency drugs.

ASA monitoring

Standard monitoring (ECG, pulse oximetry, BP) with careful oxygen delivery and positioning.

Lipid rescue

Emergency treatment for local anesthetic systemic toxicity (LAST) using intralipid.

Spinal anesthesia

Injection of local anesthetic into the cerebrospinal fluid in the lumbar region (L3-L5).

Epidural anesthesia

Injection into the epidural space outside the dura; catheter allows titration of analgesia.

Test dose

Small injection (often lidocaine with epinephrine) to detect intravascular or intrathecal injection.

Interscalene block

Brachial plexus block targeting C5–C7 for shoulder/upper arm; ultrasound improves accuracy; risk of phrenic nerve block and Horner’s syndrome.

Supraclavicular block

Upper limb block at the division level; ultrasound is crucial due to proximity to the lung and pneumothorax risk.

Infraclavicular block

Block below the clavicle near the brachial plexus cords; reduced phrenic nerve involvement but still near lung apex; may require multiple injections.

Axillary block

Forearm/hand block around the axillary artery; median, ulnar, and radial nerves targeted; musculocutaneous may require separate injection; catheter placement uncommon.

Femoral nerve block

Analgesia for anterior thigh/knee; easy with ultrasound; can be combined with sciatic block for total knee coverage.

Adductor canal block

Knee analgesia via saphenous nerve; preserves quadriceps strength, aiding rehabilitation.