Exam 14: Drugs for Local and General Anaesthesia

Drugs used as IV anaesthetics include barbiturates, opioids, and benzodiazepines.

Local anesthetics work by blocking potassium channels, causing loss of sensation in the area.

The primary method(s) for achieving general anaesthesia is: (Select all that apply.) Note: Credit will be given only if all correct choices and no incorrect choices are selected.

A patient with a history of depression is having a thyroidectomy. The patient informs the pharmacist about the use of herbal remedies for depression. What drug would the anesthetist need to know about prior to surgery?

What is the purpose of adding sodium hydroxide to a local anaesthetic medicine?

The pharmacist is caring for a patient who is in a state of consciousness yet insensitive to pain and unaware of the surroundings, caused by combining the opioid fentanyl with the antipsychotic agent droperidol. What state of consciousness is this patient experiencing?

List common adjuncts to surgery and why they are used.

Paralysis of the medulla region in the brain responsible for controlling respiratory and cardiovascular activity occurs during stage 3 of anesthesia.

Describe the stages of anesthesia. How does the anaesthesiologist maintain the patient in stage 3? What stage needs to be avoided during surgery?

Describe the five methods of local anesthesia and when they are used.

An epidural anesthetic is often given during labour.

Epinephrine is added to the anaesthetic solution to constrict the blood vessels in the immediate area in order to reduce bleeding in the area and increase the duration of action of the anesthetic.

The nurse is preparing to administer thiopental to a patient. Which route of administration is correct?

The goal of general anaesthesia is to provide slow and partial loss of sensation.

The pharmacist is teaching a group of students about inhaled anesthetics. Which anesthetic would be incorrect if stated by the student?

Which of the following are adjuncts to anaesthesia that are given prior to, during, or after surgery? (Select all that apply.) Note: Credit will be given only if all correct choices and no incorrect choices are selected.

Cocaine, the first local anaesthetic widely used for medical procedures, was a natural amide type of anesthetic.

A pharmacist is teaching a group of students about gases used for anesthesia. Which response by the students indicates understanding of the material?

IV agents are usually administered first during general anesthesia because they act within a few seconds.