Anesthesia is a technique aimed at suppressing sensitivity through the administration of medications that temporarily suppress nervous activity in a region of the body (local or regional anesthesia) or that render the person unconscious (general anesthesia) to that she does not feel pain during surgery or any other type of procedure that requires it.
Nursing considerations in local anesthesia:
-Before the administration of local anesthesia, the person should be questioned about possible allergic history.
-Allergy to anesthetic products, as well as the existence of liver lesions, are considered contraindications to local anesthesia if anesthetics that are metabolized in the liver are intended to be used.
-Have all the elements that may be required to solve adverse reactions or complications.
-Inform the person about the procedures that will be carried out throughout the entire intervention and ask them to indicate any discomfort they perceive, in order to reassure them when it is a normal side effect or to solve the problem when possible.
-Always respecting the most appropriate position for the intervention, place the person in such a way that they are as comfortable as possible.
-Properly cover the person as much as possible, both to keep them warm and to respect their modesty.
-Continuously monitor general condition and vital signs, monitoring for the appearance of adverse reactions to anesthesia (vasovagal reflexes, hypersensitivity to the drug).
Nursing considerations in general anesthesia:
-Proceed to pre-intervention techniques aimed at preventing possible complications of the anesthetic act, such as aspiration of vomiting, shock or contamination of the surgical field due to sphincter relaxation.
-Keep the person fasting as indicated, usually from 8 to 12 hours before the intervention.
-Perform a nasogastric catheter when indicated, especially for stomach emptying in emergency operations.
-Administer enemas according to specifications.
-Perform a bladder catheter whenever possible urinary retention is anticipated or a strict postoperative fluid balance is required.
-Keep scrupulous control of hydration and apply appropriate intravenous infusion techniques.
-Administer preanesthetic mediation in the indicated doses and schedule, informing the anesthetist or surgeon if any inconvenience arises so that he or she can determine the most appropriate guidelines for action. Otherwise, the initial effects of anesthesia may not be accurately assessed.
-Monitor the person throughout the pre-anesthetic period, monitoring for the appearance of adverse reactions to the medication.
-Obtain an IV line with a large-caliber needle, to prevent a possible blood transfusion.
-Control vital signs before the surgical procedure and throughout the intervention, monitoring electrocardiographic, respiratory, gasometric, PVC monitoring…
-Collaborate with the anesthetist in endotracheal intubation, control of artificial ventilation, administration of oxygen and drugs…
-Prepare all the necessary elements for the treatment of possible complications (cardiopulmonary resuscitation).