During which phase of anesthesia is the patient likely to feel warm and drowsy?

The induction phase of anesthesia is the stage where the patient transitions from being fully awake to a state of controlled unconsciousness. During this phase, various anesthetic agents are administered, often resulting in sensations such as warmth and drowsiness. The warmth can stem from vasodilation caused by the anesthetic drugs, leading to an increase in blood flow to the skin. Drowsiness occurs as the central nervous system is progressively depressed by the anesthetics, contributing to a feeling of relaxation and sleepiness.

In contrast, the maintenance phase involves sustaining the desired level of anesthesia throughout a surgical procedure, and the patient typically remains in a consistent state of unconsciousness without the specific sensations experienced during induction. The recovery phase is characterized by the patient regaining consciousness and awareness as the anesthetic effects diminish, which is generally accompanied by feelings of grogginess rather than warmth. Lastly, the pre-anesthetic phase is prior to the induction, where preparations are made for the upcoming anesthesia, and the patient may not yet experience the effects of the anesthetics.