Risks of Anesthesia
(4.3 Contact Hours)

Written by Abby Plambeck, RN, BSN

The price of this course is $24.00. You will only be asked to pay for the course if you decide to grade the Post Examination to earn a certificate with Contact Hours (CEUs).

Learning Objectives

After completion of Risks of Anesthesia the participant will be able to:

• 1. Identify three general factors that may increase a patient’s risk for anesthetic complications.
• 2. List three pre-existing disease states that may increase a patient’s risk for anesthetic complications.
• 3. Describe the American Society of Anesthesiologists' physical status classification.
• 4. State the current estimated mortality rate associated with anesthesia.
• 5. List three types of physical injury that may result from anesthetic procedures.
• 6. Define “intraoperative awareness” and state the current estimated statistics for occurrence according to the American Society of Anesthesiologists.
• 7. Describe current research findings related to the use of brain wave monitors.
• 8. Identify two potential sources of anaphylaxis related to anesthesia.
• 9. List three residual effects of anesthesia that the nurse might observe in a postoperative patient.
• 10. Define the role of the Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist related to the anesthesiologist.

Content Outline

I. Introduction

 A. Anesthesia defined

 B. Brief history of anesthesia

 C. Types of anesthesia

 1. Infiltration

 2. Regional

  a. Peripheral nerve blocks

  b. Spinal/epidural

 3. General

 4. Sedation

 D. General complication statistics

II. General risk factors for anesthetic complications

 A. Age

1. Children

2. Elderly

B. Co-morbidities

1. Cardiovascular disease

2. Respiratory disease

3. Renal failure

4. Liver failure

5. Diabetes mellitus

6. Obesity

C. History of smoking, alcohol, or other drug abuse

D. Family history of anesthetic complications

1. Malignant hyperthermia

2. Other adverse drug effects

III. Physical Status Classification of the American Society of Anesthesiologists

A. PS-1: Normal, healthy patient

B. PS-2: Patient with mild systemic disease that results in no functional limitations

C. PS-3: Patient with severe systemic disease that results in functional limitations

D. PS-4: Patient with severe systemic disease that is a constant threat to life

E. PS-5: Moribund patient who is not expected to survive without the operation

F. PS-6: Declared brain-dead patient whose organs are being removed for donor purposes

G. Emergency operation

IV. Potential injuries related to anesthesia or anesthetic procedures

A. Peripheral nerve damage

B. Oral/airway injury

C. Pulmonary aspiration

D. Eye injury

E. Maternal/fetal/newborn injury

F. Intraoperative awareness

1. Statistics

2. Potential causes

3. Brain wave monitors

G. Allergic reaction/anaphylaxis

1. Latex

2. Medications

V. After-effects of anesthesia

A. Sedation

B. Respiratory depression

C. Cardiovascular depression

D. Hypothermia

E. Nausea and vomiting

VI. Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists and Anesthesiologists

A. Educational differences

B. Scope of practice

VII. Conclusion

Any time someone goes under anesthesia, there are risks associated with the procedure. These risks are clear and easily explained by those who are informed. Every nurse should be able to explain to their patients the risks involved with anesthesia, and also allay fears concerning both waking up during the procedure, and never waking again. This course aims to detail the issues of anesthesia and how to help patients understand the risks involved. As well as helping nurses understand the side-effects to be expected with anesthesia, and warning signs of a possible problem.