What a surgical nurse should know about general anesthesia?

General anesthesia is a reversible and controlled elimination of consciousness, pain and reflexes, subsequent amnesia and tension reduction or muscle relaxation. It enables the operator to perform any type of surgical intervention while providing patient comfort and safety. General anesthesia is given to patients of all ages – both infants and the elderly. It is applied in all surgical specialties, such as general surgery, pediatric, thoracic surgery, neurosurgery, cardiac and vascular surgery, traumatology, gynecology and obstetrics, orthopedics and ophthalmology. General anesthesia performed by an experienced anesthetist is a safe procedure. Surgical nurses are important members of the therapeutic team taking care of patients during the perioperative period. To actively participate in preparing a patient for surgery and anesthesia as well as in the postoperative care, beyond the knowledge of surgical nursing, it is also necessary to have a basic knowledge of other disciplines.