Unit 1 - Anesthesia Lecture

Where does the term anesthesia come from?

Greek origin- “Without feeling”

Does every anesthetic agent provide pain control?

NO

Define general anesthesia

Reversible depression of the CNS in which a patient cannot be aroused by painful stimulation

What are the three basic characteristics of GA?

1. Loss of consciousness

2. Immobility

3. Muscle relaxation

Define sedation

Drowsiness that may be light (mild), moderate, or deep (profound)

Patient can be aroused by stimulation

Used for: Imaging, grooming and minor procedures

Define tranquilization

This term is often used interchangeably with sedation

Patient is reluctant to move, is aware of its surroundings, but is unconcerned

Define hypnosis:

Sleeplike state induced by drugs; patient can be aroused with enough stimulation

Define narcosis:

Sleeplike state associated with narcotic administration, patient cannot be easily aroused

What are the 5 terms used to categorize surgical anesthesia?

1. Stage

2. Plane

3. Light

4. Moderate

5. Deep

What is local anesthesia?

Loss of sensation to a specific area of the body, performed by injecting or applying local anesthetic agents on, in or near the sites that requires anesthesia

What types of local anesthesia are there? (3)

1. Topical anesthesia- local anesthetic agent applied directly to the surface of the tissue

2. Regional anesthesia- local anesthetic agent injected near the nerves providing sensation to an area of the body which anesthetizes that area e.g. epidural anesthesia, brachial plexus block, dental nerve blocks

3. Balanced anesthesia (multimodal anesthesia)- Use of multiple drugs at reduced dosages- maximizes benefits/ minimize adverse drug effects

How to achieve balanced anesthesia

• Administer premedication drugs

• Provide induction of anesthesia and analgesic drugs during maintenance anesthesia (commonly inhalant like isoflurane)

List some responsibilities of an RVT anesthetist

1. Knowledge of the effects of the anesthetic agents and adjunct used including the ability to calculate dosages correctly

2. Knowledge of appropriate monitoring of vital signs and parameters of anesthetic depth and when a DVM needs to be notified

3. Knowledge of the anesthetic equipment and ensuring that it is in safe working order before beginning a procedure

4. Knowledge of the appropriate medical records that need to be kept in the peri-anesthetic period

What are the five rights?

1. right volume

2. right concentration

3. right drug

4. right area

5. right time

6. right patient

7. right file documentation