What is the partial pressure of 7% Desflurane?

To determine the partial pressure of 7% Desflurane, it's important first to understand that the percentage concentration of a gas in a mixture can be used to calculate its partial pressure when the total pressure of the mixture is known.

Assuming that the total atmospheric pressure is approximately 760 mmHg (which is the standard atmospheric pressure at sea level), the partial pressure of a gas is calculated with the formula:

Partial Pressure = (Percentage of Gas / 100) x Total Pressure

For Desflurane at 7%, the calculation becomes:

Partial Pressure = (7 / 100) x 760 mmHg = 53.2 mmHg

This result indicates that the partial pressure of 7% Desflurane, rounded to the nearest whole number, is approximately 53 mmHg. This calculation aligns perfectly with the choice indicating 53 mmHg, validating it as the correct answer.

Understanding this relationship between concentration, total pressure, and partial pressure is fundamental in anesthesiology and in understanding how gases behave in a mixture, particularly during anesthesia management where specific concentrations of inhaled anesthetics are crucial.