What does capnography primarily monitor in a patient?

Capnography primarily monitors exhaled carbon dioxide levels, making it a critical tool in assessing a patient's ventilatory status. This monitoring provides real-time feedback on the patient's carbon dioxide output, which reflects the effectiveness of ventilation. By measuring the concentration of carbon dioxide in the exhaled breath, clinicians can gain valuable insights into metabolic processes and respiratory function.

For example, elevated levels of exhaled carbon dioxide may indicate hypoventilation or respiratory failure, while low levels could suggest hyperventilation or inadequate perfusion. The capnogram, which is the graphical output of capnography, shows the phases of the respiratory cycle, allowing healthcare providers to assess both the rate and the depth of breathing.

While inhaled oxygen levels, heart rate variability, and blood pressure fluctuations are important parameters in a comprehensive assessment of patient status, they are not the primary focus of capnography. This specialized monitoring is specifically tailored to track carbon dioxide levels, making it an essential tool in critical care, emergency medicine, and anesthesia settings.