2/22/2024 Ch 15 what points on a capnographic waveform represens a misture of alveolar gas and dead space gasRead Now![]() ![]() Quantity: what is the patient’s EtCO2, and is it within the normal range?.Proper: what are the normal or “proper” readings we’re looking for?.The letters PQRST will help you remember what you’re watching for when looking at a waveform: proper, quantity, rate, shape and trend. When you’re learning to read an EtCO2 waveform, it’s best to start with the alphabet. Even so, you can read the waveforms displayed on a capnography device the same way no matter what machine is used or what condition the patient is in. The end-tidal CO2 monitoring standard of care varies based on your environment and the situation-paramedics in the field, for example, may use slightly different methods than anesthesiologists in an OR. You’ll use the waveform shape to interpret general ventilation patterns. In this case, the exact EtCO2 value will be shown elsewhere on the screen. The horizontal axis shows the time elapsed.Ī live capnography display scrolls in real-time and is often unlabeled. ![]() When you look at a waveform diagram, you’ll notice that the vertical axis measures the EtCo2 value. The normal values for patients regardless of age, sex, race, or size range between 35-45 mm Hg, or about 5% CO2. EtCO2 values are recorded in mm Hg (millimeters of mercury), a unit of pressure. Introduction to Capnography WaveformsĬapnography measures ventilation through a metric known as end-tidal carbon dioxide (EtCO2). Want to learn how to track a patient’s ventilation on your own? In need of a capnography waveform cheat sheet? In this guide, we’ll teach you how to read a capnography monitor and interpret the results. As such, these devices are as valuable for triage as they are for long-term monitoring. Did you know, though, that measuring the carbon dioxide they exhale is often just as important? You can read this vital sign with a device called a capnograph, which produces a waveform diagram much like an EKG.Ĭapnography waveforms can give you information on anything from whether your airway placement was successful to whether a patient suffered respiratory damage. Knowing a patient’s oxygen levels provides crucial information about their respiratory status. ![]()
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