Low inspired anesthetic agent

Manifestations	Signs of "light" anesthesia
Manifestations	Lower than intended measured anesthetic concentration (typically no alarm set for this)
Potential causes	Patient factors (none)
	Equipment factors:
	Empty vaporizer
	Loose vaporizer cap
	Improperly seated vaporizer
	Air entrainment into breathing system
	Anesthetic degradation by soda lime or baralyme
	User factors:
	Wrong agent in vaporizer
	Bellows refilled using oxygen flush
	Very low fresh gas flow
	Failure to turn on the vaporizer
Suggested responses	Increase fresh gas flow rate
	Increase vaporizer setting
	Fill vaporizer
	Check vaporizer cap and connection to manifold
	Switch vaporizers
	Check CO₂ absorbent for heat or discoloration at the opposite end of where it typically changes color
	Replace CO₂ absorbent
	Convert to intravenous anesthetic

CO₂: carbon dioxide.

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