Nitrous oxide (N2O) was first synthesized by Joseph Priestly in 1772. Many years later a young dentist named Horace Wells would recognize the anesthetic potential of nitrous oxide for minor dental surgical procedures. Since then nitrous oxide has been used safely and effectively as a single inhalation agent for millions of dental and minor surgical procedures and in combination with other more potent inhalation and parenteral agents for major surgical procedures. This course lists the physical properties of nitrous oxide and its physiologic and pharmacologic effects on the major organ systems of the body. The signs and symptoms, both sedative and adverse, associated with various titrated percentages of administered nitrous oxide will be explained.
Upon completion of this course, participants should be able to:
- list the physical properties of nitrous oxide;
- list the physiologic and pharmacologic effects of nitrous oxide on the major organ systems of the body;
- understand the terms: M.A.C., blood gas partition coefficient, and partial pressure of a gas;
- list the differences between a pressurized cylinder of nitrous oxide and the same size pressurized cylinder of oxygen;
- list the major functions of a modern nitrous oxide analgesia machine and its safety mechanisms; and
- list the signs and symptoms, both sedative and adverse, associated with various titrated percentages of administered nitrous oxide.
