The vaporizer component in an anesthesia machine serves to?

• A. Convert liquid anesthetic to vapor and add to carrier gas
• B. Filter particulates from the gas
• C. Remove CO2 from exhaled gas
• D. Humidify the gas

Answer: (A)

Delivering a precise amount of volatile anesthetic by turning liquid into vapor and mixing it with carrier gas. The vaporizer is a calibrated, temperature-compensated device in the fresh-gas path. Carrier gas is split so part bypasses the liquid reservoir and part passes through the liquid anesthetic chamber; as it flows over the liquid, it becomes saturated with vapor. The two streams then combine, producing output gas with a controlled concentration of the agent. The dial setting corresponds to the intended inspired concentration, adjusted for the agent’s vapor pressure and temperature. This is why modern vaporizers are agent-specific and temperature-compensated to maintain stable output.

This function is distinct from filtration (which removes particulates), CO2 removal (which happens in the CO2 absorber of the circle system), and humidification (usually provided by a humidifier in the circuit, not the vaporizer).