Capnography

Question 1

What would cause EtCO2 levels to increase?

Answer 1

Primarily Hypoventilation

• Increased metabolic rate (the body is working harder and producing CO2)
• Rapid rise in body temp (MH?)

Question 2

What would cause EtCO2 levels to decrease?

Answer 2

Usually Hyperventialtion

• Decrease in metabolic rate
• Decrease in body temp

Question 3

In a ventilated and sedated patient, what are causes of rebreathing if respirations are controlled?

Answer 3

Insufficeint inspiratory or expiratory flow

• Malfunction of CO2 absorber
• Parital rebreathing circuit
• Expiratory valve failure

Question 4

What are causes of an airway obstruction that would affect a EtCO2 waveform/value?

Answer 4

Obstruction in breathing circuit

• Upper airway obstruction
• kinked or occluded ETT
• Bronchospasm

Question 5

Why would dips in the following waveform occur?

(insert mod 4 slide 31 from anes)

Answer 5

NMBA wearing off or patient is triggering breaths again

Question 6

Add slide 31 and 32