Editing General anaesthetic (section)

== Stages of anesthesia ==
During administration of an anesthetic, the receiver goes through different stages of behavior ultimately leading to [[unconsciousness]]. This process is accelerated with intravenous anesthetics, so much so that it is negligible to consider during their use. The four stages of anesthesia are described using Guedel's signs, signifying the depth of anesthesia. These stages describe effects of anesthesia mainly on cognition, muscular activity, and respiration.<ref name=":25" />

=== Stage I: Analgesia ===
The receiver of the anesthesia primarily feels [[Analgesic|analgesia]] followed by amnesia and a sense of confusion moving into the next stage.<ref name=":25" />

=== Stage II: Excitement ===
Stage II is often characterized by the receiver being delirious and confused, with severe amnesia. Irregularities in the patterns of respiration are common at this stage of anesthesia. Nausea and vomiting are also indicators of Stage II anesthesia. Struggling and panic can sometimes occur as a result of delirium.<ref name=":25" />

=== Stage III: Surgical Anesthesia ===
Normal breathing resumes at the beginnings of Stage III. Nearing the end of the stage, breathing ceases completely. Indicators for stage III anesthesia include loss of the eyelash reflex as well as regular breathing. Depth of stage III anesthesia can often be gauged by eye movement and pupil size.<ref name=":25" />

=== Stage IV: Medullary Depression ===
No respiration occurs in stage IV. This is shortly followed by circulatory failure and depression of the [[vasomotor center]]s. Death is common at this stage of anesthesia if no breathing and circulatory support is available.<ref name=":25" />