Anesthesia Techniques Flashcards

Which signs are associated with malignant hyperthermia during anesthesia?

Answer: Tachycardia, CO2 retention, muscle rigidity, increase in body temperature

Malignant hyperthermia is a severe hypermetabolic state characterized by an uncontrolled release of calcium in skeletal muscle. Key signs include a rapid increase in heart rate (tachycardia), excessive carbon dioxide production (CO2 retention), generalized muscle rigidity, and a dangerously rapid rise in body temperature. These symptoms indicate a life-threatening metabolic crisis.

Which interventions are recommended for treating malignant hyperthermia during anesthesia?

Answer: EMS activation, oxygen therapy, dantrolene administration, cold saline IV, application of ice packs to groin, axilla, and neck

Immediate treatment for malignant hyperthermia involves discontinuing the triggering agent and administering dantrolene, a muscle relaxant that inhibits calcium release. Aggressive cooling measures, such as cold saline IV and external ice packs to the groin, axilla, and neck, are crucial to lower body temperature. Additionally, 100% oxygen therapy is vital to address the increased metabolic demand, and EMS should be activated.

Which part of the eye loses reflex on induction of anesthesia?

Answer: Eyelid

During the induction of general anesthesia, the eyelid reflex is one of the first protective reflexes to disappear. The absence of this reflex, which involves involuntary blinking or resistance to eye opening, indicates that the patient has reached a sufficient depth of anesthesia for procedures like intubation or surgery to commence safely.

What is the advantage of using local anesthetic alone?

Answer: Patient does not need to be NPO (nothing by mouth) and no driver is necessary

A significant advantage of using local anesthetic alone is that it does not typically impair consciousness or motor function to the extent that systemic sedation or general anesthesia does. Consequently, patients are generally not required to be NPO (nothing by mouth) before the procedure and can often drive themselves home afterward, offering greater convenience and fewer logistical hurdles.

What is balanced anesthesia?

Answer: All of the above

Balanced anesthesia is a technique that combines multiple anesthetic agents to achieve all desired components of anesthesia. These components include amnesia (loss of memory), analgesia (pain relief), muscle relaxation/immobility, and loss of consciousness. This approach allows for lower doses of individual drugs, minimizing side effects while ensuring a safe and effective surgical state.

What is emergence?

Answer: Waking or returning of consciousness following anesthesia

Emergence refers to the critical phase at the conclusion of an anesthetic procedure when the patient transitions from the anesthetized state back to consciousness. During this period, anesthetic agents wear off, allowing the patient to gradually regain protective reflexes, respond to commands, and ultimately become fully awake. It requires careful monitoring to ensure a smooth and safe recovery.

What are the levels of sedation according to the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA)?

Answer: I - minimal sedation (anxiolytics), II - conscious sedation, III - deep sedation (analgesia), IV - general anesthesia

The American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) defines four levels of sedation. Minimal sedation (Level I) involves anxiolytics where the patient responds normally to verbal commands. Conscious sedation (Level II) involves depressed consciousness where the patient responds purposefully to verbal or tactile stimulation. Deep sedation (Level III) involves a profound depression where the patient is difficult to arouse but responds purposefully to repeated or painful stimulation, and General Anesthesia (Level IV) involves complete loss of consciousness and protective reflexes.