ABSTRACT
Learning objectives Know what general anaesthesia is. ■ Know the main aims of premedication. ■ Be able to list the properties of an ideal general anaesthetic. ■ Know the four stages of general anaesthesia. ■ Be aware of the main classes of general anaesthetic, i.e. gaseous and ■ injectable, with examples of each class and some of their given properties and adverse effects. Be able to discuss the blood:gas and oil:gas partition coeffi cients and the ■ MAC with their relevance to general anaesthetics. Be able to give an account of the use of muscle relaxants with examples. ■
A defi nition of general anaesthesia State of unconsciousness and loss of pain appreciation due to the action of ■ a chemical agent administered either by inhalation or by IV injection.
