Anesthesia and Ventilation Challenges

Drugs that depress the CNS

True (A)

<p>The respiratory system cannot respond to changes in oxygen requirements by increasing Tidal Volume and Respiratory Rate (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Muscle relaxants</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>As the effects of the anesthetics wear off, the patient's respiratory system gradually recovers the sensitivity to CO2 levels, allowing for spontaneous breathing to resume.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Drugs that depress the central nervous system (CNS) make the chemoreceptors less sensitive to carbon dioxide levels ($PCO_2$)

Opiates are a type of drug that can depress the central nervous system (CNS) and make the chemoreceptors less sensitive to carbon dioxide levels ($PCO_2$)

The depth of anaesthesia affects how sensitive the chemoreceptors are to changes in carbon dioxide levels ($PCO_2$)

Impaired chemoreceptor sensitivity to carbon dioxide leads to hypoventilation (slowed breathing) or even apnoea (stopping breathing).

Muscle relaxants are drugs that paralyze muscles, including the diaphragm, which is the primary muscle responsible for breathing.

The process of regaining consciousness after anaesthesia, where the body gradually recovers its normal breathing function.

Oxygen has lower solubility in blood compared to carbon dioxide. This means that it needs a greater pressure difference (push) to diffuse from the lungs to the blood.

Carbon dioxide is 20 times more soluble in blood than oxygen. This means that it diffuses easily from the blood to the lungs.

The process of gas exchange, where oxygen moves from the lungs to the blood and carbon dioxide moves from the blood to the lungs. This depends on the partial pressure difference between the two compartments.

Carbon dioxide is a potent chemical that influences the blood vessels in the brain (cerebral vasomotor tone).

Low levels of carbon dioxide in the blood lead to constriction of the blood vessels in the brain, reducing blood flow.

High levels of carbon dioxide in the blood lead to dilation of the blood vessels in the brain, increasing blood flow.

The use of controlled breathing (hyperventilation) to decrease carbon dioxide levels in the blood, which leads to brain vasoconstriction and reduced blood flow.

Hyperventilation is sometimes used in cases of traumatic brain injury (TBI) to reduce blood flow to the brain and lower intracranial pressure (ICP)

Less blood flow to the brain means less oxygen delivery and reduced tissue perfusion (blood supply).

This is a suggested target range for partial pressure of carbon dioxide (PaCO2) in blood, except in cases of raised intracranial pressure (ICP).

In cases of raised intracranial pressure, more aggressive hyperventilation may be needed to decrease the pressure inside the skull.

A system of mechanical ventilation that delivers a set volume of air with each breath. The pressure varies to achieve that volume.

A system of mechanical ventilation that delivers air at a set pressure, with the volume of air delivered varying depending on lung compliance and resistance.

A type of mechanical ventilation that delivers a set level of positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP), to keep the airways open even during exhalation.

The position where a patient lies on their back. This position increases the pressure on the lower airway, potentially impairing alveolar oxygenation and breathing.

The effect of gravity on oxygen diffusion. This can lead to a better oxygen supply to the lower airway in certain positions.

The position where a patient lies on their side. This position causes the upper lung to ventilate better, while the lower lung receives better blood flow.

The position where a patient lies on their back with their head and shoulders elevated. This position places pressure on the diaphragm and abdominal organs, hindering lung expansion.

The position where a patient lies on their stomach. This position can potentially improve lung function compared to supine due to a more even distribution of ventilation and blood flow.