Question 23M.3.HL.TZ2.7
| Date | May 2023 | Marks available | [Maximum mark: 4] | Reference code | 23M.3.HL.TZ2.7 |
| Level | HL | Paper | 3 | Time zone | TZ2 |
| Command term | Outline, Suggest | Question number | 7 | Adapted from | N/A |
Local anesthetics such as lidocaine have a history of efficacy and safety in medical and dental practice.
Outline the effect of anesthetics on the nervous system.
[3]
- affect synapses/synaptic transmission;
- interfere in neural transmission
OR
interrupt/block neural transmission; - cause a reversible loss of sensation/numbness/unconsciousness;
- act between sensory neurons/receptors and central/autonomic nervous system (CNS);
Most candidates provided very general outlines, stating that anesthetics provoke a loss of sensation and a few relating it to synaptic transmission.
As lidocaine is absorbed from the injection site, the concentration in blood plasma rises. If not properly administered, it can reach dangerous levels.
[Source: Used with permission of Anesthesia Progress/Allen Press Inc., from Local Anesthetics: Review of Pharmacological
Considerations, Becker, D.E. and Reed, K.L., 59, 2012; permission conveyed through Copyright Clearance Center, Inc.]
Suggest one reason for the dangerous effects of high doses of anesthetics.
[1]
pathways/autonomic functions are inhibited / synapses blocked
OR
PNS/CNS are depressed;
If more than one reason is written, mark only the first one.
Suggesting one reason for their dangerous effects in terms of synapses or nervous system appeared very difficult for most who mainly stated a consequence of high doses.
