Clinical Monitoring Flashcards
Standard V Monitoring Standards dictates that what should be monitored at ALL times?
- ventilation continuously
- oxygenation continuously
- cardiovascular status continuously
- body temperature continuously
- neuromuscular function and status
- patient positioning
Verify intubation of the trachea by ____.
auscultation, chest excursion, and confirmation of carbon dioxide in the expired gas, continuously monitor end-tidal carbon dioxide during controlled or assisted ventilation including any anesthesia or sedation technique requiring artificial airway support; use spirometry and ventilatory pressure monitors as indicated
Monitor cardiac status via ___
EKG and heart sounds, record BP and HR at least every 5 minutes
What are the three fundamental assessment techniques for a CRNA?
- Inspection of the patient can provide info regarding the adequacy of oxygen delivery and carbon dioxide elimination, fluid requirements, as well as positioning and alignment of body structures.
- Auscultation is used to verify correct placement of airway devices such as the endotracheal tube and laryngeal mask airway, to assess arterial blood pressure (BP), and to continually monitor heart sounds and air exchange through the pulmonary system.
- Palpation can aid the anesthetist in assessing the quality of the pulse and degree of skeletal muscle relaxation, as well as locating major vascular structures when placing central venous lines or performing regional anesthesia techniques.
The maximum intensity of stridor is heard ___ and signifies ___.
Which respiratory phase?
Larynx
Signifies Laryngeal Stenosis
Heard on inspiration and expiration
The maximum intensity of wheezes are heard ___ and signifies ___.
Which respiratory phase?
Bronchia or Trachea
Signified narrowed airways
Usually expiration
The maximum intensity of crackles are heard ___ and signifies ___.
Which respiratory phase?
Peripheral lung
Occluded airways
Usually inspiration
Normal bronchial lung sounds are heard louder on ___.
Maximum intensity ___.
expiration
trachea, thoracic inlet
Normal vesicular lung sounds are heard louder on ___.
Maximum intensity?
inspiration
peripheral lungs
Use the stethoscope to auscultate the trachea to ____
confirm ventilation during natural airway and poor capnography
Heart Sounds Location

Locations for Auscultation

What is a precordial stethescope?
A precordial and/or esophageal stethoscope is most seen in pediatric anesthesia and used for continuous respiratory and cardiac monitoring
A precordial stethoscope is a heavy, bell-shaped piece of metal placed over the chest or suprasternal notch.
Esophageal Stethoscope (general facts)
The esophageal stethoscope is a soft plastic catheter (8–24FR) with balloon-covered distal openings
Use is limited to intubated patients
Placement can cause damage to the oro/nasal pharynx
r/f inadvertent placement in the trachea
Caution in patients with a history of esophageal varices and/or gastric bypass surgery
How does pulse oximetry work?
based on the Beer-Lambert law, which relates the transmission of light transmitted and the concentration of solute, both within a solution.
In the case of pulse oximetry, the solute is hemoglobin, and solution is blood.
What kind of light does the pulse oximeter emit?
The pulse oximeter emits red and infrared light
Red light (660 nm) is absorbed by deoxyhemoglobin (higher in venous blood)
Infrared light (940 nm) is absorbed by oxyhemoglobin (higher in arterial blood)
SpO2 = oxygenated hemoglobin/(oxygenated Hgh + deoxygenated hgb) x 100
The closer the pulse ox monitor is to central circulation, the ____.
1) faster it will respond to arterial desaturation, and 2) more resistant to vasoconstrictive effects SNS stimulation and hypothermia
Fast: ear, nose, tongue, esophagus, forehead
Middle: finger
Slow: toes
Describe the clinical changes you’ll see with a left vs right oxyhemoglobin curve.

SpO2 values and their corresponding PaO2
SpO2 of 70% = PaO2 40 mm Hg
SpO2 of 80% = PaO2 50 mm Hg
SpO2 of 90% = PaO2 60 mm Hg
SpO2 of 100% = PaO2 70 - 100 mmHg
Strategies to improve pulse ox waveform
- Warm extremity
- Protect against ambient light
- Digital block
- Vasodilating cream
- Administer arterial vasodilator
Pulse oximetry is a noninvasive monitor of:
- Hemoglobin saturation
- Heart rate
- Fluid Responsiveness (pulse pressure variation)
Pulse oximeter is NOT a monitor of:
- Anemia
- Ventilation
- Bronchial intubation
Measuring perfusion with a mediastinoscopy
mediastinoscope is placed behind the thoracic artery, if the pulse oximeter is on the RIGHT extremity, the quality of the waveform may be influenced by compression of the brachiocephalic artery by the scope
Measuring perfusion in lithotomy position
leg perfusion, placement of pulse oximeter on the toe



