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Questions and Answers
Which of the following local anesthetic agents is an example of an ester?
Which of the following pharmacological properties of local anesthetics affects the duration and potency of the anesthetic?
What is the primary mechanism of action of local anesthetic agents?
Which local anesthetic agent has a higher risk of cardiac toxicity?
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What is the term for the time it takes for the anesthetic to take effect?
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Which of the following is a rare side effect of certain local anesthetics?
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What is the term for the dose required to produce effective anesthesia?
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What is the term for the length of time the anesthetic remains effective?
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Which local anesthetic agent is a combination of amino amide and ester structures?
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Which of the following local anesthetics has a fast onset and medium duration?
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Study Notes
Local Anesthetic Agents
Classification
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Amino Amides:
- Most commonly used local anesthetics
- Examples: lidocaine, mepivacaine, prilocaine, articaine
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Esters:
- Older local anesthetics, less commonly used
- Examples: tetracaine, benzocaine, procaine
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Amphipathic:
- Combination of amino amide and ester structures
- Example: ropivacaine
Mechanism of Action
- Local anesthetics work by blocking the generation and conduction of nerve impulses
- They bind to the alpha subunit of the sodium channel, preventing the influx of sodium ions
- This prevents the nerve from depolarizing and transmitting pain signals
Pharmacological Properties
- Potency: measured by the dose required to produce effective anesthesia
- Duration: length of time the anesthetic remains effective
- Onset: time it takes for the anesthetic to take effect
- Protein binding: affects the duration and potency of the anesthetic
- Lipid solubility: affects the anesthetic's ability to penetrate the nerve membrane
Individual Local Anesthetics
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Lidocaine:
- Most commonly used local anesthetic
- Fast onset, medium duration
- Used for infiltration, nerve block, and epidural anesthesia
-
Bupivacaine:
- Long-acting local anesthetic
- Used for epidural and spinal anesthesia
- Has a higher risk of cardiac toxicity
-
Mepivacaine:
- Intermediate-acting local anesthetic
- Used for infiltration, nerve block, and epidural anesthesia
- Has a faster onset than bupivacaine
Adverse Effects
- Allergic reactions: rare, but can be severe
- Systemic toxicity: can cause CNS and cardiac effects
- Methemoglobinemia: a rare side effect of certain local anesthetics
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Description
This quiz covers the classification, mechanism of action, pharmacological properties, and adverse effects of local anesthetic agents, including examples such as lidocaine, bupivacaine, and mepivacaine.
