Download Anesthetic Drugs Pharmacology Chapter 23 For centuries, the South

Anesthetic Drugs
Pharmacology Chapter 23
1. For centuries, the South American Indians chewed the leaves of the coca
bush for their euphoric effect. Cocaine, which is derived from these
leaves, was recognized as a topical anesthetic drug in 1880 and is still
used as a topical anesthetic and vasoconstrictor drug for ENT procedures.
For many years, synthetic substitutes for cocaine were sought. This led to
the discovery of procaine(Novocain), the prototype of local anesthetic
drugs.
In 1772, nitrous oxide (N2O) was discovered. Rather than being utilized as
anesthetic drug, it was inhaled at social parties to produce euphoria and
was commonly known as laughing gas. Nitrous oxide was not recognized
as an inhaled drug that could produce general anesthesia until the 1860s.
In 1846, William Morton, a Boston dentist, recognized that inhaled ether
could produce general anesthesia. He gave the first public demonstration
of surgery performed under ether anesthesia at Massachusetts General
Hospital.
In 1874, Dr. Oré of France demonstrated the first use of intravenous
anesthetic drugs during surgery. In 1920, the technique of endotracheal
intubation was perfected. This allowed greater control of patient
ventilation and anesthetic administration during surgical procedures.
In 1935, thiopental (Pentothal), a barbiturate drug, was found to rapidly
induce general anesthesia when given intravenously. It is still used today.
Lidocaine (Xylocaine), the most widely used topical, local, regional, and
spinal anesthetic drug, was introduced in 1948.
2. Anesthesia: The absence of feeling, sensation, or pain.
Epidural anesthesia: Injection of an anesthetic drug into the epidural space.
General anesthesia: Anesthesia with loss of consciousness.
Induction of anesthesia: A preliminary step to general anesthesia in which the
patient is first given drugs to produce rapid loss of consciousness.
Regional anesthesia: Injection of an anesthetic drug near a nerve plexus. Also
known as nerve block anesthesia.
3. MPF stands for methylparaben free. Methylparaben, a preservative with
antibiotic and antifungal effects, is often present in liquid anesthetic drugs
that are in vials or ampules. Some patients have an immediate and severe
allergic reaction to methylparaben, and so it has been eliminated from some
anesthetic drugs. Those anesthetic drugs that do not contain methylparaben
are labeled MPF.
4. Because epinephrine is a powerful vasoconstrictor drug, local injection is
contraindicated in the fingers; the blood supply there is limited and excessive
vasoconstriction from epinephrine could lead to necrosis and skin sloughing.
5. [Only need to name five.]
Categories of drugs given preoperatively are antihistamine drugs (to provide
sedation and dry up oral secretions), anticholinergic drugs (block the action
of acetylcholine and decrease oral secretions), benzodiazepine
Copyright 2010 by Pearson Education Inc.
Anesthetic Drugs
Pharmacology Chapter 23
antianxiety drugs (to relieve anxiety and provide sedation), narcotic drugs (to
relieve pain and provide sedation), barbiturate drugs (to produce sedation),
and antipsychotic drugs (to decrease anxiety).
6. The short duration of use of Schedule III barbiturate drugs for induction of
Anesthesia limits their addictive potential.
7. Ultrashort-acting barbiturate drugs depress the central nervous system.
Narcotic drugs combine with opiate receptors in the brain to block pain; at
higher doses, they produce unconsciousness.
8. Desflurane (Suprane), enflurane (Ethrane), halothane, isoflurane (Forane),
and sevoflurane (Ultane) are inhaled anesthestic gases.
9. Neuromuscular blocker drugs block nerve transmissions throughout the body,
reduce resistance to endotracheal intubation, and produce skeletal muscle
relaxation.
10. a. inhaled anesthetic gas
b. narcotic drug
c. inhaled anesthetic gas
d. antihistamine drug
e. anesthetic drug for local, regional, spinal, or epidural anesthesia
f. narcotic drug
g. ultrashort-acting barbiturate drug
h. narcotic drug
i. neuromuscular blocker drug
Copyright 2010 by Pearson Education Inc.