What is the purpose of capnography during airway management?

What is the purpose of capnography during airway management?

• A. Confirms endotracheal tube placement and monitors adequacy of ventilation and perfusion.
• B. Measures oxygen saturation.
• C. Monitors blood pressure.
• D. Detects carbon monoxide poisoning.

Answer: (B)

Capnography measures end-tidal CO2 in exhaled air and provides a waveform that confirms the endotracheal tube is in the trachea and lets you monitor ventilation in real time. A consistent capnogram with each breath indicates that CO2 is being adequately eliminated, showing effective ventilation, while sudden changes or loss of the waveform signal problems such as tube dislodgement, airway obstruction, or apnea. Oxygen saturation is tracked with pulse oximetry, not capnography, so capnography is not used to measure SpO2. It also isn’t a direct tool for detecting carbon monoxide poisoning.

Capnography measures end-tidal CO2 in exhaled air and provides a waveform that confirms the endotracheal tube is in the trachea and lets you monitor ventilation in real time. A consistent capnogram with each breath indicates that CO2 is being adequately eliminated, showing effective ventilation, while sudden changes or loss of the waveform signal problems such as tube dislodgement, airway obstruction, or apnea. Oxygen saturation is tracked with pulse oximetry, not capnography, so capnography is not used to measure SpO2. It also isn’t a direct tool for detecting carbon monoxide poisoning.