The American Society of Anesthesiologists Standards for Basic Anesthetic Monitoring state that an anesthetist should be present during all anesthetics (general, regional, monitored anesthesia care [MAC]) and that oxygenation, ventilation, circulation, and temperature should be continually evaluated.

1. Standard monitoring for general anesthesiaThe minimal requirements for general anesthesia include an oxygen analyzer to confirm the administered FIO₂, pulse oximetry, electrocardiogram (ECG), blood pressure measurement, and the ability to assess temperature. Capnography (Chapters 11 and 13) is mandatory for general anesthesia and recommended for MAC and regional anesthesia.
2. Additional monitoring
3. The patient’s comorbidities and operative procedure may require additional monitors to measure arterial and venous pressures, cardiac function (Chapters 3 and 29), neuromuscular blockade (Chapter 14), and central nervous system activity (Chapters 16 and 23).