Anesthesia:
Myth or Fact?
Myth or Fact?
Anesthesia is addictive.
MYTH; "Salem Anesthesia" clarifies that anesthesia drugs are not addictive and are used for medical purposes)
Song 1
Won’t Back Down - Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers
Humans glow in the dark, but our eyes can’t see it.
True – due to biochemical reactions producing faint light.
🐜➡️👖
(Ants in your pants)
General anesthesia is commonly started using medications given by this route.
Intravenous, IV
You might die during surgery.
MYTH; (Every surgery carries some element of risk. But in most cases, this is related to a patient’s overall health, rather than the anesthesia. Patients in a fragile state – consider the case of someone undergoing trauma surgery following a major accident – face much greater risks than those created by anesthesia.)
Song 2
Your brain is constantly eating itself
True! It goes through phagocytosis where cells envelop and consume smaller cells or molecules to remove them from the system. Don’t worry! Phagocytosis isn't harmful, but actually helps preserve your grey matter.
⏰🐷✈️
(When pigs fly)
This monitoring modality is required during all general anesthetics to assess oxygenation.
Pulse Oximetry
There are three main types of anesthetics: general, local, regional
General- Renders the patient unconscious and unaware, usually requiring a breathing tube.
Local- Numbness is restricted to a small, specific area via injection, spray, or ointment.
Regional- Blocks pain in a large area of the body (e.g., spinal or epidural), often keeping the patient awake.)
Song 3
What did I miss - Drake
Outer Space smells like Lilac
False, Astronauts report it smells like burning metal and steak.
🌅🐤🐛
(Early bird gets the worm)
This component of anesthesia prevents memory formation during surgery.
Amnesia
You can eat or drink before surgery, even if it’s a little bit
MYTH: Even consuming a small amount of food or drink can increase the risk of complications during anesthesia, such as aspiration (inhaling food or liquid into your lungs). Typically, you’ll be advised to stop eating and drinking a certain number of hours before surgery, depending on the type of anesthesia you’ll be receiving.
Song 4
Into you - Ariana Grande
A day on Venus is longer than a year on Venus.
True!
😂🎈⛽️💤
(Laughing gas)
A local anesthetic that numbs specific portions of the body.
Lidocaine
While you're under anesthesia, the anesthesiologist stays in the room and monitors your vitals
TRUE; they ensure patient safety by constantly monitoring vital signs, breathing, and heart function while managing the depth of unconsciousness, just in case something happens.
Song 5
Stateside (Remix) - Zara Larsson and Pinkpantheress
There are more possible games of chess than atoms in the observable universe.
True – the number is called the Shannon number.
🧠💉💤
(Anesthesia)
This anesthetic medication can increase heart rate and blood pressure.
Ketamine