Question

Some anesthetics are also very effective in stopping the food from moving through the intestine. Therefore, after an operation, the surgeon will not permit a patient to eat until the digestive system is moving food again, and a patient has to suck on ice until there is some evidence the digestive tract is functioning. Without knowing more about the anesthetics, what is the likely mode of action of the anesthetic?

a) Inhibiting the function of the pancreas
b) Blocking the absorption of nutrients
c) Reducing intestinal motility
d) Enhancing digestive enzyme production

Answer 1

The anesthetic is likely causing a reduction in intestinal motility, which is why a patient must wait until the digestive system is active again before consuming food post-surgery.

Step-by-step explanation:

The anesthetic likely works by reducing intestinal motility. General anesthetics are known for their role in relaxing the body's muscles, which would include the muscles in the digestive tract responsible for pushing food through the intestine. This relaxation can result in a temporary cessation of the digestive process, hence the need for ensuring that the digestive system is functional before a patient is allowed to eat post-operation. Anesthetics do not directly inhibit pancreatic function, block the absorption of nutrients, or enhance the production of digestive enzymes, but rather function by affecting the muscular and neurological systems that control digestive motility.