Which component adds anesthetic vapor to the inspired gas stream?

Which component adds anesthetic vapor to the inspired gas stream?

• A. Vaporizers
• B. Flowmeters
• C. Reservoir Bag
• D. Unidirectional Valves

Answer: (A)

Vaporizers are designed to add anesthetic vapor to the inspired gas stream. In a circle anesthesia system, the fresh gas (oxygen or mixed gases) passes through the vaporizer, which contains the liquid anesthetic. Modern vaporizers use a variable bypass design: part of the fresh gas goes around the liquid while part flows through the liquid, picking up vapor. The two streams recombine to deliver a precise concentration of anesthetic in the gas that reaches the patient. Temperature compensation and dial settings allow the machine to maintain a stable output across conditions. The other components don’t add vapor. Flowmeters control the rate of gas flow, the reservoir bag stores gas and allows manual ventilation, and unidirectional valves ensure one-way flow and prevent backflow in the circuit.

Vaporizers are designed to add anesthetic vapor to the inspired gas stream. In a circle anesthesia system, the fresh gas (oxygen or mixed gases) passes through the vaporizer, which contains the liquid anesthetic. Modern vaporizers use a variable bypass design: part of the fresh gas goes around the liquid while part flows through the liquid, picking up vapor. The two streams recombine to deliver a precise concentration of anesthetic in the gas that reaches the patient. Temperature compensation and dial settings allow the machine to maintain a stable output across conditions.

The other components don’t add vapor. Flowmeters control the rate of gas flow, the reservoir bag stores gas and allows manual ventilation, and unidirectional valves ensure one-way flow and prevent backflow in the circuit.