What should be monitored closely before, during, and after nitrous oxide administration?

Monitoring the patient's vital signs before, during, and after nitrous oxide administration is crucial for ensuring patient safety and effective sedation. Vital signs, which typically include heart rate, blood pressure, respiratory rate, and oxygen saturation, provide real-time indicators of the patient’s physiological response to the sedation. Changes in vital signs can signal adverse reactions or complications, allowing the dental team to respond promptly.

While monitoring the patient's color, tank pressure, or the sound of the machinery are also relevant in a dental setting, they do not provide the same immediate and comprehensive overview of the patient's condition as vital signs do. For instance, a patient's skin color can change due to various factors, and while tank pressure is important for ensuring there is enough nitrous oxide available, it does not indicate how the patient is responding to the gas. The sound of the machinery may inform the dental team about equipment functioning, but it does not reflect the patient's health status. Thus, monitoring vital signs remains a priority to ensure patient safety during nitrous oxide sedation.