Question

You are called into a room by an anesthetist who complains about smelling volatile anesthetic in the middle of an operation while a patient is intubated and under a general anesthetic. What should you do?

A) Wait until the operation is done before looking for a leak.
B) Look for a hole in patient circuit or disconnect between the patient and circuit.
C) Ensure that the carbon dioxide absorbent canister is properly connected.
D) Ensure that the scavenging system is functioning properly.
E) B, C and D.

Answer 1

To address the issue of smelling volatile anesthetic during an operation, you should ensure that the carbon dioxide absorbent canister is properly connected, check the anesthesia machine for any malfunctions, and search for leaks in the anesthesia system.

Step-by-step explanation:

If you are called into a room by an anesthetist who complains about smelling volatile anesthetic in the middle of an operation while a patient is intubated and under a general anesthetic, there are several things you should do. First, you should ensure that the carbon dioxide absorbent canister is properly connected. The carbon dioxide absorbent canister plays a critical role in removing carbon dioxide from the breathing circuit during anesthesia.

Secondly, you should check the anesthesia machine to ensure that it is functioning properly. The machine delivers a mixture of oxygen, anesthetics, and ambient air to the patient, so any malfunction could lead to the smell of volatile anesthetic.

Lastly, you should check for any leaks in the anesthesia system, including the breathing circuit and the patient's airway. Leaks can cause the smell of volatile anesthetic and should be addressed immediately.