Types of Anesthesia: What an Anesthesia Tech Knows

Anesthesia techs assist anesthesiologist in administering medications to patients. Anesthesia medications help the patient to relax or sleep during medical procedures. This is done in order for the patient to have as much of a pain-free experience as possible.

Although anesthesia techs may not directly administer the medication, they still know the different types of anesthesia used on patients. They can tell you that these are:

• General anesthesia – This is where the patient is unconscious (other than sensations). Some general anesthetics are gases or vapors that are administered through a breathing mask or tube while others are drugs that are administered intravenously.
• Regional anesthesia – With this type of anesthetic you can remain awake or be given a sedative. Either way you do not see or feel the surgery because the anesthetic is administered by injection into the nerves of the area of the body that requires surgery. This numbs the area. Spinal anesthesia and epidural anesthesia are the most common types of regional anesthetics.
• Local anesthesia – Local anesthesia is used for minor surgeries. This type of anesthetic is administered again by injection, the same as a regional anesthetic, except that it is injected into the tissue rather than the nerves.

As for the anesthesia tech’s role, they can be found setting up the equipment needed, ordering supplies and equipment, maintaining organization of anesthesiology workrooms, and also may assist in monitoring patients.

Does this sound like a career opportunity you would like to pursue? Learn more about anesthesia technology programs at HealthCareers.net today.