Apnea Test Procedure Guide

Question 1

What indicates a positive apnea test?

• aka what do we check for?

Answer 1

• no spontaneous efforts
• CO2 < 60 and > 20 rise from baseline
• pH <7.28

Question 2

What criteria needs to be met before Apnea testing can begin?

Answer 2

Expect 3mmHg increase in CO2/min

• No drugs on board (inotrope are the exeption though)
• Warm body (temp >34)
• EtCO2 inline
• 10 mins of preoxygenation before test

Question 3

When would you d/c apnea testing?

Answer 3

• Decreased BP
• Arrhythmia appears
• PaO2 < 60 or SpO2 <90
• You see resp efforts

Question 4

How often do you assess gasses for Apnea testing?

Answer 4

Baseline, 5 mins, then q3-5mins until criteria met