The job of the anesthesiologist is NOT to put people to sleep. It is to preserve their vital functions and get them through procedures intact. Modern anesthesiology uses so many kinds of monitoring and science related to body and neurochemistry that we simply must include it or else insult them by its omission.

So if this stuff seems deep, just appreciate it as you would a juggler. Get a sense of what it is they need to do.  Hey, you want to see an anesthesiologist come unglued? Hand them a note from the medical doctor recommending that adequate oxygen levels be maintained during surgery. Gets'em every time.

The Anesthesia 2 section deals more directly with children's needs in anesthesia.

Parents of skinny children who need surgery [ !!!!! ] please review the 'Chronic Shock' section until you can recite it verbatim.