Anesthesia Technician Practice Exam

What critical information does capnography provide during anesthesia?

1. Patient temperature

2. Ventilation efficiency

3. Heart rate

4. Fluid balance

The correct answer is: Ventilation efficiency

Capnography provides vital information regarding ventilation efficiency by measuring the concentration of carbon dioxide in exhaled breath. During anesthesia, monitoring the levels of carbon dioxide helps assess how well the patient is ventilating. An increase in carbon dioxide levels can indicate hypoventilation, where not enough CO2 is being expelled, while decreasing levels may suggest hyperventilation or malfunctioning of the ventilatory system. Monitoring capnography is crucial for ensuring that the patient is adequately ventilated, especially under general anesthesia when normal respiratory function may be compromised. This information assists the anesthesia provider in making necessary adjustments to the ventilation rate or tidal volume to maintain optimal respiratory function and prevent complications. In contrast, the other options provide information that is not directly related to the efficiency of ventilation. For example, patient temperature is monitored separately, heart rate is tracked through other monitoring tools such as ECG, and fluid balance is managed through different parameters, making capnography unique in its specific role in evaluating ventilation during anesthesia.