Capnography Flashcards
What is average O2 consumption in ml/(kg min)?
3.5 ml/(kg min)
~250 for 70kg pt
Note: The rate of O2 consumption increases as pt weight decreases but the obese pt. consumes more O2 overall.
What are the respiratory quotients from least to greatest?
Fat metabolism RQ = 0.71
Protein: 0.835
Mixed: 0.82 - 0.85
Carbohydrate: 1
Lipogenesis: 1 - 1.2
Note: 8-10 hrs after a meal, carbohydrate metabolism becomes minimum and fat dominates.
What is :
capnnogram/capnograph
capnometer
capnometry?
a graph of gaseous CO2 concentration as a function of time
an instrument for measuring gaseous concentrations (numerical)
the practice of measuring and recording concentrations (numerical)
Identify the parts of the capnogram:
I: Dead space + fresh gas
II: Dead space + alveolar gas
III: Alveolar gas plateau
IV: Inspiration
During phase ___, exhaled gas from the large a/w has a PCO2 of 0.
I
During phase __, is the transition between a/w and alveolar gas.
II
Phase III is normally flat, but in the presence of VA/Q mismatching, it has a ______ slope.
positive
What occurs to the slope of the capnogram as a result of a kinked tube?
increased slope
Where is the alpha angle measured and what is its approximate value?
within point C curve in Phase II
~ 100º
Where is the beta angle measured and what is its approximate value?
angle within curve between phase III and IV
Beta ~ 90º
What occurs with respect to the alpha angle in COPD?
The alpha angle increases
What occurs with respect to the beta angle in COPD with rebreathing?
the beta angle increases
Note: Another possible cause of increased beta angle is a prolonged response time compared with the respiratory cycle time.
Normal CO2 levels is ___-___ torr
35-40
How does a mainstream sampling device operate?
Infrared light beam is passed through the airway device
Note: Side stream readings are delayed. Also alpha angles are sharper in mainstream devices.
What error can occur with colorimetric CO2 detectors?
If stomach acid is regurgitated, false positive results may occur when the ETT is in the esophagus.
Also, the color change may be permanent.
The sidestream capnogram is about ___ breath out of phase with actual activity.
1/2 breath
What changes occur to the alpha and beta angles in sidestream analyzed waveforms?
both are more rounded due to fresh gas flow dilution
Where should you place the sample line and why?
Closest to the ETT as possible to avoid dilution by fresh gas.
If close to the y-piece, readings with be diluted.
What are the advantages of side stream analysis?
- More robust
- Cheaper to maintain
- Weight of sensor on ETT is not a factor
- Not limited to CO2 and N2O
- No added dead space to the breathing circuit
What are the advantages of main stream analysis?
- No “leak in circuit”
- Measure high ventilatory rates
- Decreased artifact such as cardiogenic oscillations
Identify the capnograms:
Normal
COPD
Bronchospasm
Kinked ETT
If there is a slow rise in phase III that does not appear to reach a plateau, what is the capnogram suggesting?
- emphysema, asthma
- suggestive of large A-a CO2 gradient
- morphology suggests dilution of alveolar gas with dead space gas
What are expected ETCO2 - PaCO2 gradients:
Normal
Slightly abnormal
Moderately abnormal
Markedly abnormal
0-7 mmHg
7-10
10-13
>13
In a pt with COPD, what gas exchange units empty first? Poorly ventilated or well ventilated?
Well-ventilated units empty first, then the poorly ventilated ones which result in the progressive increase of capnogram caused by asynchronous exhalation.
What factors determine ETCO2?
Composition of the alveolar gas
- CO2 production: metabolism, temperature
- Gas transport to alveolus
- Gas exchange
- Inspired gas composition
- Composition of mixed venous blood
Emptying of alveolus
- A/w resistance
- Compliance
- Alveolar volume
What causes increased PETCO2?
Increased CO2 production–fever, sepsis, giving bicarb, increased metabolic rate, seizures
Decreased alveolar ventilation–COPD, muscular paralysis, hypoventilation, respiratory center depression
Equipment malfunction–rebreathing, exhausted CO2 absorber, leak in circuit