TEN…
fingers and toes,
each one anxiously awaiting its turn
in the pulse oximeter…
Nine…
centimeters of Touhy,
before reaching the hub
and delicately asking for a more robust needle…
Eight…
liters per minute,
via the ambu bag,
en route to the ICU…
Seven…
French triple-lumen catheter,
when peripheral IVaccess
just isn’t doing the job…
Six…
percent Desflurane,
to ensure limitation of movement
at 50% of incisions…
Five…
electrocardiogram leads,
to diagnose, trend, and treat
precordial ischemia…
Four…
vital capacity breaths,
to denitro-, and preoxy-
genate the lungs…
Three…
bispectral index leads,
sprawling across the forehead
keeping awareness to a minimum…
Two…
arms, legs, and eyes,
padded, protected
and positioned for safety…
One…
patient,
sleeping comfortably
and painlessly on the table.
