What does "monitoring" of nitrous oxide-oxygen inhalant sedation NOT include?

Monitoring of nitrous oxide-oxygen inhalant sedation encompasses several critical safety and efficacy measures designed to ensure the well-being of the patient during the procedure. Among these, checking vital signs, observing patient responsiveness, and ensuring the proper functioning of equipment are essential practices.

Checking vital signs is a standard aspect of monitoring, as it provides crucial information about the patient's physiological state during sedation. This includes heart rate, blood pressure, and oxygen saturation, allowing the clinician to assess the patient's response to the sedation.

Observing patient responsiveness is another key element of monitoring. This involves evaluating how a patient reacts to verbal commands or physical stimuli, which helps in determining the level of sedation and safety of the procedure.

Ensuring proper equipment function is also vital, as malfunctioning equipment can pose significant risks during sedation. Regular checks on the nitrous oxide and oxygen delivery systems ensure that they are operating correctly and delivering the desired gas concentrations to the patient.

Increasing the flow of sedation, while it may be done in certain situations, is not typically considered a component of monitoring in the same way the other practices are. Monitoring primarily focuses on assessing and maintaining the patient's current state rather than actively adjusting the flow of sedation without justification or patient response. This distinction emphasizes the importance of safe practice