When looking at a capnographic tracing of a complete respiratory cycle, it shows that during ____, P_ECO₂ increases dramatically as alveolar gas begins mixing with deadspace gas.

Question

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During phase II of a capnographic tracing, which represents the expiratory upstroke, the partial pressure of CO2 increases dramatically as alveolar gas (rich in CO2) begins mixing with dead space gas (low in CO2). This phase reflects the transition from anatomic dead space (where there is little to no CO2) to areas of the lung where gas exchange occurs, leading to a sharp rise in CO2 levels detected in the exhaled breath.

When Looking at a Capnographic Tracing of a Complete Respiratory