After administering nitrous oxide, how long should a patient remain on 100% oxygen?

After administering nitrous oxide, it is important for a patient to remain on 100% oxygen for a minimum of 5 minutes. This practice is critical for several reasons.

Firstly, 100% oxygen helps to flush the nitrous oxide out of the patient's system more quickly, reducing its residual effects and enabling the patient to return to normal consciousness faster. It also minimizes potential side effects that could occur if the patient breathes in nitrous oxide immediately after it has been turned off.

Furthermore, maintaining a 5-minute duration of oxygen administration helps ensure that the body receives adequate oxygen while eliminating the inhaled nitrous oxide, which can contribute to post-operative recovery and patient safety. Therefore, the recommendation for a 5-minute post-nitrous oxide oxygenation period aligns with best practices for safe dental anesthesia management.