Patient Monitoring Techniques Flashcards

A patient sedated with nitrous oxide/oxygen begins showing signs of dysphoria and restlessness. The MOST appropriate immediate action is to:

Answer: Decrease the nitrous oxide concentration and increase oxygen

Dysphoria and restlessness during nitrous oxide sedation indicate an adverse reaction; reducing N2O and increasing O2 is the first corrective step.

Which parameter is MOST useful for detecting early airway obstruction in a sedated patient?

Answer: Capnography waveform

Capnography detects changes in ventilation before SpO2 drops, making it the earliest indicator of airway obstruction.

During moderate sedation monitoring, the assistant notes a sudden drop in heart rate to 42 bpm in an adult patient. This finding is MOST consistent with:

Answer: A vasovagal episode

Profound bradycardia accompanied by hypotension is classic for a vasovagal episode, often triggered by pain, anxiety, or needle phobia.

The correct cuff size for NIBP monitoring requires that the bladder width cover approximately what percentage of the patient's upper arm circumference?

Answer: 50–80%

The AHA recommends that the bladder width cover 40% and the bladder length cover 80% (approximately 50–80%) of the arm circumference for accurate readings.

Which of the following signs of airway obstruction would be detected by a precordial or pretracheal stethoscope but NOT by pulse oximetry alone?

Answer: Snoring or stridor breath sounds

Snoring and stridor are auditory signs of partial airway obstruction detectable via stethoscope before oxygen saturation falls on pulse oximetry.

In a DAANCE-level monitoring protocol, how frequently should baseline vital signs be recorded before administering IV sedation?

Answer: At minimum before sedation and every 5 minutes during the procedure

Baseline vitals must be documented before sedation, then monitored at least every 5 minutes during the procedure per AAPD/ADA sedation guidelines.

A patient's SpO2 reading on the finger probe is 94% but the patient appears pink and comfortable. Which factor is MOST likely causing this discrepancy?

Answer: Nail polish or poor peripheral perfusion is interfering with the probe

Dark nail polish, acrylic nails, or poor peripheral perfusion (cold fingers, vasoconstriction) are common causes of falsely low SpO2 readings.