What is the role of capnography in airway management?

Capnography plays a crucial role in airway management primarily by measuring the concentration of carbon dioxide (CO2) in exhaled air. This monitoring provides real-time feedback on the patient's ventilation status. In the context of intubation, one of the key uses of capnography is to confirm the correct placement of an endotracheal tube. When a tube is correctly positioned in the trachea, the exhaled air will contain CO2, indicating that the patient is ventilating adequately, and the tube is not in the esophagus.

The ability to detect and quantify exhaled CO2 (often referred to as the end-tidal CO2) provides immediate visual confirmation of successful intubation, making it an invaluable tool during airway management procedures. This feedback helps clinicians ensure that they are providing effective ventilation and that the airway is securely managed, reducing the risk of accidental extubation or misplacement.

Other options, while related to patient monitoring and airway management, do not accurately describe the primary role of capnography. For example, heart rate monitoring, sedation level evaluation, and lung function assessment are important but are not the specific functions of capnography in confirming airway placement and ventilation efficacy.