What defines local anesthesia?

Local anesthesia is specifically characterized by its ability to block pain sensation at a targeted site without affecting the entire body or causing sedation. This type of anesthetic works by inhibiting the transmission of nerve impulses in a localized area, allowing for pain-free procedures in specific parts of the body while the patient remains fully conscious and aware.

The other options describe different concepts not associated with local anesthesia. General pain relief in the whole body pertains more to systemic analgesia rather than localized treatment. Complete sedation refers to the use of agents that induce a state of unconsciousness and is associated with general anesthesia, not local anesthesia. Inhibition of autonomic functions might refer to certain effects of medications but does not encapsulate the primary purpose of local anesthetics, which is to provide localized pain relief. Therefore, the definition of local anesthesia aligns precisely with the ability to block pain sensation at a targeted site.