RT Book, Section
A1 Freeman, Brian S.
A2 Freeman, Brian S.
A2 Berger, Jeffrey S.
SR Print(0)
ID 1102565984
T1 Nitrous Oxide and Closed Spaces
T2 Anesthesiology Core Review: Part One Basic Exam
YR 2014
FD 2014
PB McGraw-Hill Education
PP New York, NY
SN 9780071821377
LK accessanesthesiology.mhmedical.com/content.aspx?aid=1102565984
RD 2024/04/19
AB Nitrous  oxide  is  one  of  the  oldest  inorganic  inhalation  anesthetics  still  used  in  practice  today  to  achieve  unconsciousness.  This  odorless  gas,  which  can  support  combustion,  is  most  commonly  administered  in  a  concentration  of  50%-75%  in  oxygen.  Because  it  has  a  minimum  alveolar  concentration  (MAC)  value  of  104%,  nitrous  oxide  is  a  weak  anesthetic  that  is  typically  used  as  part  of  a  balanced  technique  with  a  potent  volatile  inhalation  agent  and  opioids.  Due  to  the  second  gas  effect,  giving  high  concentrations  of  nitrous  oxide  will  help  increase  the  alveolar  concentration  of  a  second,  simultaneously  given  volatile  agent.  The  solubility  of  N2O  in  blood  is  very  low  (blood/gas  partition  coefficient  of  0.47),  resulting  in  faster  equilibration  of  partial  pressures  between  blood  and  alveolus  and  rapid  induction  and  emergence.