(3)
Anticipated length of the procedure.
(4)
Patient's condition.
(5)
Patient's previous experiences with anesthesia.
(6)
Preferences of the anesthesiologist/anesthetist and the patient.
(7)
Available equipment.
(8)
Skill of the anesthesiologist/anesthetist.
(9)
Age of the patient.
2-6.
FACTORS CONSIDERED WHEN SELECTING AN ANESTHETIC AGENT
The anesthesiologist/anesthetist must consider the following factors when
selecting an anesthetic agent.
a.
Smoking and drinking habits of the patient.
b.
Presence of diseases that effect the:
(1)
Pulmonary function/exercise tolerance.
(2)
Hepatic function (the liver is involved in removal of most agents).
(3)
Renal function.
(4)
Cardiovascular function.
c.
Medication history (medications that the patient is currently taking).
2-7.
CLASSIFICATION OF ANESTHETIC AGENTS
As mentioned in Lesson 1, anesthesia is a partial or complete loss of sensation,
with or without loss of consciousness, as a result of a disease, an injury, or
administration of a drug. Inhalation anesthesia has been classified as the most popular
because of its controllability. The intake and elimination of the agent is, in large
measure, affected by pulmonary ventilation. The three classifications of anesthetic
agents are general, regional or block, and local.
MD0915
2-6