Carbon Dioxide Absorbent
Posted: Wednesday, August 17th, 2021 | Updated: Wednesday, August 17th, 2022
Posted: Wednesday, August 17th, 2021 | Updated: Wednesday, August 17th, 2022
Recommendations on When to Change it:
Ideally, change the absorbent after every 6-8 hours of use or at least once weekly if it's not used to that extent. You may check to see if the absorbent is exhausted by performing a crumble test. When the absorbent is exhausted, it will be harder and more difficult to crumble between your fingers. Always wear gloves when handling the absorbent and wash your hands after exposure. You may keep a log to show the accumulative hours used for anesthesia. The change in color may not always be the best indicator of exhaustion
Note:
When monitoring anesthesia, watch the inspiratory carbon dioxide levels. The capnograph waveform should go back to baseline at zero and ideally no carbon dioxide should be inspired. If the patient has an elevated expiratory end tidal carbon dioxide level or the inspired carbon dioxide level is above 5 mmHg, troubleshoot the cause. Changing the absorbent may also help resolve that issue. Other causes of increased levels of inspired carbon dioxide are a closed or stuck expiratory valve, increased dead space, and/or too low of a oxygen flow rate
Ideally, change the absorbent after every 6-8 hours of use or at least once weekly if it's not used to that extent. You may check to see if the absorbent is exhausted by performing a crumble test. When the absorbent is exhausted, it will be harder and more difficult to crumble between your fingers. Always wear gloves when handling the absorbent and wash your hands after exposure. You may keep a log to show the accumulative hours used for anesthesia. The change in color may not always be the best indicator of exhaustion
Note:
When monitoring anesthesia, watch the inspiratory carbon dioxide levels. The capnograph waveform should go back to baseline at zero and ideally no carbon dioxide should be inspired. If the patient has an elevated expiratory end tidal carbon dioxide level or the inspired carbon dioxide level is above 5 mmHg, troubleshoot the cause. Changing the absorbent may also help resolve that issue. Other causes of increased levels of inspired carbon dioxide are a closed or stuck expiratory valve, increased dead space, and/or too low of a oxygen flow rate
Sources:
Bassett, Rachel. "How Do I Set up the Anesthesia Machine? Arg!@!%&!^#." Vetgirl. 29 Mar. 2022. https://vetgirlontherun.com/webinars/march-29-2022-how-do-i-set-up-the-anesthesia-machine-arg/. Webinar
Bassett, Rachel. "How Do I Set up the Anesthesia Machine? Arg!@!%&!^#." Vetgirl. 29 Mar. 2022. https://vetgirlontherun.com/webinars/march-29-2022-how-do-i-set-up-the-anesthesia-machine-arg/. Webinar