The pulse oximeter measures differences in light absorption between oxygenated and unoxygenated blood. Pulse oximetry is used to assess the patient’s oxygenation status. Although surgical drapes may not always make this practical, auscultation allows for the detection of heart murmurs, abnormal lung sounds, and other abnormalities that cannot be detected via other monitors. The heart should also be auscultated regularly in anesthetized patients, if possible. These observations should always be confirmed using blood pressure measurements, but can provide a quick and easy means for assessing perfusion. Weak or bounding pulses may provide an early indication of a problem that requires investigation. Peripheral pulses should also be regularly palpated in anesthetized patients. Hypoxemia may lead to blue or purple mucous membranes. Mucous membrane color may become dark pink in the presence of vasodilation, hypercarbia, or toxic changes. Mucous membrane color may become pale in cases of vasoconstriction, hypotension, hypovolemia (hemorrhage), or hypoxia. These observations should be confirmed using other objective monitors, but can often be the first indicator to the anesthetist that there is a problem warranting investigation.Ĭhanges in mucous membrane color may have a variety of causes. Increases in capillary refill time may indicate hypovolemia, hypotension, or poor tissue perfusion. These observations can also be affected by drugs, but they are still a useful means of assessing the patient’s cardiovascular status. Jaw tone can also be used throughout anesthesia to assess anesthetic depth, as can the presence or absence of a withdrawal reflex (present only under a light plane of anesthesia).Ĭardiovascular status is typically assessed using mucous membrane color and capillary refill time. Loss of the corneal reflex indicates that the patient is too deep and in danger. When a patient is under a deep plane of anesthesia, the palpebral reflex should be absent, but the corneal reflex should remain present. Hands-on monitoringĭespite the availability of more technologically-advanced options, hands-on monitoring remains a method of choice for many animal health professionals due to its simplicity and effectiveness.Īnesthetic depth is typically measured using reflexes. Whether you use single-function or multi-parameter devices, accurately interpreting the data provided plays a critical role in monitoring the anesthetized patient.
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