During capnography monitoring of a mechanically ventilated ...

[lak]

During capnography monitoring of a mechanically ventilated patient, you note that the PETCO2 has dropped to 0 mm Hg. Which of the following is the most likely problem?
 
  a. Ventilator disconnection
  b. Tracheal intubation
  c. Increased cardiac output
  d. Hypoventilation

Question 2

A patient being monitored by capnography exhibits a sudden rise in end-tidal CO2 levels. Which of the following are possible causes?
 
  1. Sudden release of a tourniquet
  2. Massive pulmonary embolism
  3. Sudden increase in cardiac output
  4. Injection of NaHCO3
  a. 2 and 3 only
  b. 1, 3, and 4 only
  c. 2, 3, and 4 only
  d. 1, 2, 3, and 4

[owenfalvey]

Answer to Question 1

ANS: A
Table 19-7 differentiates between the causes of high and low PETCO2 readings by the sudden-ness of the change.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: B
Table 19-8 differentiates between the causes of high and low PETCO2 readings by the sudden-ness of the change.