Nitrous oxide can be used in combination with isoflurane.

• A. True
• B. False
• C. It depends on the isoflurane source
• D. It is not recommended

Answer: (A)

Nitrous oxide can be used with isoflurane because it provides an analgesic adjunct and helps reduce the amount of isoflurane needed to maintain anesthesia. This MAC-sparing effect can allow for smoother induction and recovery in some species, making the combination a common option in inhalant anesthesia protocols. However, there are caveats: nitrous oxide expands in gas-filled spaces and can cause diffusion hypoxia if not managed properly, so its use isn’t universal and depends on the clinical situation and monitoring. The other choices don’t fit as well because the pairing isn’t restricted to a particular isoflurane source, nor is it universally inappropriate or never recommended in practice.