Learning Outcomes:
A. Pharmacology: on successful completion of the module, students should be able to:
Demonstrate familiarity with the terminology relevant to drugs used in anaesthetic practice;
Describe the mechanisms of action of anaesthetic-related drugs, including their interaction with receptors;
Relate the chemical and physical properties of anaesthetic drugs to their pharmacological effects;
Outline the pharmacokinetics of anaesthetic-related drugs, with particular reference to the pathways of metabolism and excretion, and recognise the impact of common diseases on these processes;
Outline the pharmacodynamics of anaesthetic related drugs and identify potential adverse effects and signs of toxicity.
Students should be familiar with the composition of intravenous fluid solutions available for parenteral administration and compare their relative merits.
B. Safe anaesthetic practice: students should be able to formulate safe and suitable anaesthetic plans by: Relating and applying their knowledge of physiology and pharmacology to a variety of small and large animal veterinary patients;
Interpreting a patient's history, clinical examination and laboratory findings and evaluating their significance to the administration of anaesthesia.
Students should be able to recognise the reasons for an increased risk from general anaesthesia according to the species, breed, age and disease status of the patient to be anaesthetised.
They should be familiar with the signs and severity of pain in animals and be able to choose appropriate analgesic agents and procedures, including local anaesthetic techniques, and subsequently appraise their effectiveness.
C. Modern anaesthetic equipment: Identify the main components of anaesthetic machines and gas cylinders and describe their function;
Describe how to carry out a pre-use check on anaesthetic equipment;
Identify and describe anaesthetic breathing systems and be familiar with gas flows required for their safe use in a variety of species and conditions;
Describe the potential hazards of anaesthetic agents for humans and itemise how to effectively minimise these effects for personnel and clients;
Demonstrate an understanding of the usefulness of endotracheal intubation and modern monitoring equipment.
D. Systemic complications and emergency situations that arise during general anaesthesia. Students should be able to: Describe how to evaluate signs of increased and decreased anaesthetic depth and the methods available to effectively correct these;
Describe how to evaluate fluid and electrolyte imbalance which may develop peri-operatively;
Demonstrate an understanding of fluid requirements in a variety of clinical situations, their methods of administration and limitations;
Recognise the indications for positive pressure ventilation and describe how it should be performed effectively; Recognise anaesthetic complications and emergencies and formulate appropriate therapeutic measures for correction of significant changes in heart and respiratory rate, blood pressure and temperature, including cardio-pulmonary resuscitation.
Indicative Module Content:
Pharmacology and clinical use of sedatives, analgesics, induction agents, maintenance agents and fluid therapy.
Use of breathing systems, anaesthetic machines, monitoring equipment and other ancillary equipment.
Hazards and complications associated with anaesthesia, including cardio-pulmonary arrest, and their treatment.
General anaesthesia of dogs, cats, horses, farm animals and rabbits.
Local anaesthesia techniques in dogs, cats and farm animals.
Choosing protocols for a variety of patients.