general anesthesia
general anesthesia
Noun
This term refers to a total loss of consciousness and sensation, distinguishing it from local or regional anesthesia where only a specific part of the body is numbed. It is a high-stakes medical state that requires constant monitoring by an anesthesiologist to manage vital functions like breathing and heart rate.
In a clinical setting, the term is used as a technical requirement for surgery. It is an uncountable noun, meaning it is not referred to in the plural; one does not receive "anesthesias," but rather "a dose of anesthesia" or simply "general anesthesia."
Meanings
Related Words
local anesthesiaregional anesthesiaconsciousnessanestheticsedationsurgeryoperationunconsciousnesssleepcomanarcosisanalgesiahypnosisintubationventilatoroxygentracheostomyendotracheal tubemaskgasvaporizerpropofolisofluranesevofluraneketaminemidazolammorphinefentanylopioidbenzodiazepinebarbiturateanesthesiologistsurgeonnurseoperating roomrecovery roompreoperativepostoperativeinductionmaintenanceemergencewakefulnessreflexheart rateblood pressurepulserespirationapneahypoxiahypercapniamonitoringelectrocardiogrampulse oximetercapnographymuscle relaxantparalysissuccinylcholinerocuroniumneostigmineatropineaspirationfastingnauseavomitingdrowsinessamnesiastuporinsensibilitytorporpharmacologytoxicologydosageinfusioninjectionintravenousinhalation