ABSTRACT
Monitoring anesthesia is vital to patient safety and contributes to a smooth recovery within a reason - able period of time; however, monitoring
anesthesia (129) itself is of no therapeutic value unless intervention action is taken to correct any deficit detected via the monitoring. This chapter describes which vital signs should be monitored and at what intervals, as well as how to intervene
129 129 Schematic drawing showing various anesthetic monitoring devices (see text) used on an anesthetized dog to monitor circulation, oxygenation, and ventilation functions. (Drawing by Lisa Wirth, VMD, reproduced courtesy of Today’s Veterinary Practice.)
Monitoring circulation focuses primarily on monitoring the cardiovascular function of the patient. Proper circulation of oxygenated blood is an indication of a functional cardiovascular system.
