Anesthesia Technician Practice Exam

What is capnography used to determine?

1. Blood pressure

2. Oxygen saturation

3. End-tidal CO2 concentration

4. Body temperature

The correct answer is: End-tidal CO2 concentration

Capnography is a monitoring technique specifically designed to measure the concentration of carbon dioxide (CO2) in expired air, which is expressed as end-tidal CO2 (ETCO2) concentration. This measurement provides valuable information about a patient’s ventilatory status and metabolic function. By analyzing the CO2 levels at the end of exhalation, healthcare providers can assess how effectively a patient is ventilating and whether there is adequate CO2 elimination from the body. The primary application of capnography is in anesthesia and critical care settings to monitor the respiratory function of patients. A normal ETCO2 reading generally falls between 35 and 45 mmHg, and deviations from this range can indicate conditions such as hypoventilation, hyperventilation, or issues with the patient's airway. Practitioners often rely on capnography to help detect respiratory distress or failure, ensuring timely intervention. In contrast, the other options relate to different physiological parameters. Blood pressure is measured through sphygmomanometers or arterial lines, oxygen saturation is assessed via pulse oximetry, and body temperature is typically monitored with thermometers. Each of these parameters serves a specific purpose in patient monitoring but does not involve the measurement of CO2 or respiratory adequacy as