CT scans

CT scans are usually performed without general anesthesia. Children and uncooperative adults (e.g., head-injured patients) may require sedation or general anesthesia to minimize motion artifacts; if so, standard monitors as outlined in Chapter 10 are required. Capnography is useful to provide evidence of ventilation during sedation; fitting a sidestream sampling tube to nasal cannula or oxygen facemask provides qualitative assessment of ventilation.