The "Light" patient
What does a "light" patient mean?
Inadequate anesthetic depth causing reflex/movement.
Name a major cause heat of loss within the first hour of surgery?
Redistribution (vasodilation-heat to periphery)
When does most anesthesia-related mortality occur?
Within 3 hours of recovery
When does emergency delirium occur?
Immediately upon regaining consciousness.
Why arent HR and BP reliable for pain?
These can be affected by anesthetic depth and other factors
What are you monitoring during anesthesia to check patient depth?
palpebral reflexes, jaw tone, eye position
One physiologic effect of hypothermia on recovery is?
prolonged recovery and delayed drug metabolism
What are the 3 phases of recovery?
Emergence, basic function, full function
Signs of emergence delirium?
Thrashing, vocalization, paddling, confusion
How do cats and dogs differ in pain behavior?
Cats hide/withdrawal and dogs seek comfort/whine
If patient is mildly light what should you do?
What are two effective warming methods?
Forced warm air (bear hugger) and warmed IV fluids
When should you extubate?
When swallowing reflex returns/can protect their own airway.
How is dysphoria different from delirium?
It occurs later in recovery/during phase 2
Why should pain meds never be withheld for dysphoria?
Could worsen pain or agitation if undertreated.
What is best for rapid deepening?
IV injectables/Propofol
Why is prevention easier that treatment?
What should you keep on hand during recovery?
What drugs are used to treat emergence delirium?
Propofol, alfaxalone, dexmedetomidine
When can an animal be discharged post-op?
Once they are ambulatory, temperature is normal, oriented, and comfortable.
What is the dangers of a light patient?
Injury to patient/staff; Stress responses
What maintains thermoregulation and becomes impaired by anesthesia?
Hypothalamus
Name a way to monitor safely during recovery (before extubating)?
Drugs to treat dysphoria?
butorphanol/neloxone (partial reversal), flumazenil, dexmed., ace.
Geriatric and anxious patients