A basic anesthesia monitoring device that is used during general anesthesia to confirm successful endotracheal tube placement and determine the presence of gas exchange is the:
A) pulse oximetry device placed on the finger, toe, or ear lobe to measure oxygen saturation.
B) precordial stethoscope to listen to breath sounds in all lung fields.
C) capnometer/end-tidal CO₂ monitor to identify expired CO₂ in the breathing circuit.
D) postintubation arterial blood gas monitoring with a point-of-care testing device.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

A capnometer measures CO₂ concentration; it produces a capnograph that displays the CO₂ waveform.The capnograph provides a continuous display of the CO₂ concentration of gases from the airways.CO₂ concentration at the end of normal exhalation (ETCO₂,PETCO₂)is a reflection of gas from the distal alveoli; it therefore represents an estimate of alveolar concentration (PACO₂).For patients with normal circulation and pulmonary function,capnography is an excellent method to evaluate alveolar ventilation because the gradient between arterial and alveolar CO₂ pressure is small.

A Basic Anesthesia Monitoring Device That Is Used During General