Carbon Dioxide

Question 1

What happens to the capnographic curve during cardiac arrest as CPR is performed?

Answer 1

The level of pCO2 rises

Although cellular levels of CO2 increases during cardiac arrest, it does not get back to the heart in absence of circulation, so pCO2 falls. If CPR is successfully done, only does pCO2 start to rise

Question 2

The FIRST sign in malignant hyperthermia in an intubated patient is

Answer 2

Increase in end tidal CO2

Question 3

The best determinant of esophageal versus tracheal intubation is:

Answer 3

End tidal CO2

Question 4

What goes up when you insufflate the abdomen with CO2 to 15 mm Hg during a laparoscopic procedure?

Answer 4

systemic vascular resistance

Question 5

What will cause a sudden FALL in expired CO2 during a surgical procedure?

Answer 5

1. Disconnection of anesthetic tubing
2. ETT slipping out of trachea into pharynx
3. pulmonary gas embolus
4. cardiac arrest

Question 6

What will cause a gradual decrease in end tidal CO2?

Answer 6

Alveolar hyperventilation