Final answer:
General anesthesia is the type of anesthesia that causes a complete loss of consciousness, acting on the whole body and inducing an unconscious, insensible state.
Thus option a) General. is correct answer.
Step-by-step explanation:
The type of anesthesia that causes a complete loss of consciousness is general anesthesia. This kind of anesthesia acts on the brain to produce both unconsciousness and a general insensitivity to feeling or pain. Unlike local or regional anesthetics, which affect a particular part of the body, general anesthesia affects the entire body and results in a reversible state where the patient will have no awareness or sensation.
Topical anesthetics, on the other hand, are applied to the surface of the skin or mucous membranes but also only affect a specific area and do not induce unconsciousness.
An example of a general anesthetic is diethyl ether (CH3CH2OCH2CH3), which was the first to be used in a clinical setting. The administration of general anesthetics can be via inhalation or injection. Typically, an injection is used to induce anesthesia, followed by a gas to maintain it.
Thus option a) General. is correct answer.