Word parts
What it means
A drug that blocks sensation so that a procedure can be done without pain. A local anesthetic, such as lidocaine, numbs one small area; a regional anesthetic numbs a larger part of the body, as in an epidural or spinal block; a general anesthetic, such as propofol or an inhaled gas, makes the person fully unconscious. The state the drug produces is anesthesiaan-us-THEE-zhuhLoss of feeling or sensation, often brought on by drugs so that surgery or a procedure can be done without pain.an- withoutesthesi/o feeling, sensation-ia conditionFull entry .
For the nurse
After a local or regional anesthetic, protect the numb area from injury and check that feeling and movement return. After a general anesthetic, watch the airway, breathing and level of consciousness. ISMP lists general anesthetic agents (inhaled and IV) as high-alert medications.
At a glance
| Spanish | anestésico |
|---|---|
| Also written | anesthetics, anaesthetic, anaesthetics |
Related terms
-ic
A word ending that means relating to or belonging to.
epidural anesthesia
Pain relief or numbness from an anesthetic drug given through a thin catheter into the space just outside the covering of the spinal cord.
anesthesia
Loss of feeling or sensation, often brought on by drugs so that surgery or a procedure can be done without pain.