Anesthesia Comparison Chart
Fill in the following table with the appropriate information. Think about why this information is important to know when you are caring for a
patient undergoing each type of anesthesia. Think about how you will safely help the patient during the perioperative period.
Moderate to Deep
Sedation
(formally called
Monitored
Anesthesia Care
(MAC)
General Anesthesia
Regional Anesthesia
Local Anesthesia
involves a central
nerve (spinal) or
group of nerves
(plexus) resulting in
the loss of sensation
in an area of the body
by anesthetizing
sensory pathways.
rapid recovery and
d/c without
accompanying
cognitive dysfunction.
Can be used in pt’s
w/co-morbidities
Inhibits peripheral
nerve conduction,
and caused a loss of
sensation at a
desire site
Confusion, metallic
taste, dizziness
taste, dizziness Pt
has an increased
risk of allergic rxn,
skin rash,
bradycardia,
hypotension
conscious sedation)
Briefly describe the type
of anesthesia.
Used for
procedures done
outside of the OR.
Short-term surgical,
diagnostic, and
therapeutic
procedures
used for diagnostic
or therapeutic
procedures done in
or outside of the
OR. ACP must be
present
good for surgical
procedures that are of
significant duration,
need skeletal muscle
relaxation, require
uncomfortable
operative positions.
What are the benefits of
using this type of
anesthesia?
Adequate sedation,
reduction of fear
and anxiety,
amnesia, relief of
pain and noxious
stimuli, pt
cooperation, stable
vital signs, rapid
recovery. ACP
presence not
needed; trained
RN’s can perform
Adverse rxn to
medication,
respiratory
depression,
bradycardia,
hypotension, n/v
Gives greatest
flexibility to match
sedation level to pt
needs and
procedural
requirements
Fast onset, fast
elimination, fewer
undesirable side
effects. Leading to
early discharge from
PACU. Provides
amnesia to pt.
Pt. less responsive
and may need
airway
management
Hypotension, changes
in HR, lowered
temperature,
respiratory
depression, shivering,
trembling, confusion,
or hallucinations
What risks are associated
with this type of
anesthesia?
loss of sensation
w/o loss of
consciousness.
What safety measures are
completed to prevent or
manage the risks?
Resuscitation
equipment readily
available
Resuscitation
equipment readily
available
Airway safety
temperature control,
reorientation,
Resuscitation
equipment available
Airway safety,
emergency drugs,
cardiac
monitor/defibrillator
monitor for allergic
effect
What type of patient
would receive this type of
anesthesia?
reduction of
dislocated joints in
ED,
pt needing minor
therapeutic and
diagnostic
procedures (e.g.,
eye surgery,
colonoscopy)
Pt requiring full
sedation. Pt that
might have allergic
rxn to medication
Pt requiring full
sedation. Pt that
might have allergic
rxn to medication
Pt needing
management of
surgical pain, after
surgery pain control.
Used concurrent with
MAC or moderate to
deep sedation
Pt that has an allergic
rxn to regional
anesthesia.
Pt needing a minor
procedure (e.g.,
skin growth)
What type of patient
should not use this type of
anesthesia?
Pt needing long
surgical procedures,
uncooperative pt due
to intoxication,
emotional lability,
head injury, impaired
cognition
Pt with allergic rxns to
IV anesthesia
What post-anesthesia
complications would you
anticipate?
Respiratory
depression,
hypotension, n/v
Respiratory
depression,
hypotension, n/v,
Respiratory
depression, lowered
body temperature,
hypotension, changes
in HR
Respiratory paralysis
Allergic rxns,
irritation to
injection site
What nursing measures
would you implement to
prevent post-anesthesia
complications?
Monitor VS
Monitor VS,
Assessment, and
management of
physiologic
problems
Monitor VS, and
closely monitor body
temperature
Elevation of upper
body, monitor of BP,
position changes
Monitor VS, and s/s
of allergic rxns
Pt that has an
allergic rxn to local
anesthesia.