Anesthetics
TERMS
□ thiopental (Pentothal)
□ halothane (Fluothane)
□ lidocaine (Xylocaine)
QUICK LOOK AT THE CHAPTER AHEAD
Anesthetics are a group of drugs that result in differing amounts of loss of sensation in the body. They are organized into two groups: general anesthetics and local anesthetics. The first general anesthetic, nitrous oxide (laughing gas), is still in use today. General anesthetics are able to produce amnesia, analgesia, and unconsciousness by creating widespread depression in the CNS.1 The general anesthetics are given parenterally or by inhalation.
Local anesthetics are able to block sensation in a specific area of the body. Lidocaine (Xylocaine), is currently the most widely used local anesthetic. These drugs are potent nerve blockers and could cause toxicity problems if they were absorbed systemically. There are five types of local anesthetics: topical, infiltration, nerve block, epidural, and spinal.
Table 20-1 Anesthetics | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
ANESTHETICS CLIENT TEACHINGGeneral Anesthetics
The nurse should perform standard preoperative teaching, alleviate anxiety, and answer client’s questions.
Consciousness is lost quickly.
Consciousness is lost quickly.Local Anesthetics
The nurse performs standard preoperative teaching, alleviates anxiety, and answers client’s questions.
Report confusion, pain in injection site, faintness, and/or heart palpitations.
As drug takes effect, the senses will be lost in the following order: temperature, pain, touch, position sense, and muscle tone. As drug wears off, senses return in reverse order.
As drug wears off, pain will be felt.
Report confusion, pain in injection site, faintness, and/or heart palpitations.
Stay updated, free articles. Join our Telegram channel
Full access? Get Clinical Tree
