What is the role of capnography in airway management?

Capnography plays a crucial role in airway management by monitoring the levels of carbon dioxide (CO2) in exhaled air. This measurement is essential because it provides real-time information about a patient's ventilation status. By displaying the concentration of CO2 over time, capnography can indicate whether a patient is adequately ventilating and can help detect problems such as hypoventilation or re-breathing of CO2, which can occur in various clinical scenarios.

Monitoring exhaled carbon dioxide also assists healthcare providers in confirming proper endotracheal tube placement during intubation. A sudden and consistent rise in CO2 levels upon exhalation indicates that the tube is in the trachea, as opposed to being placed in the esophagus. This functionality is vital for ensuring patient safety during airway procedures.

On the other hand, measuring blood oxygen levels, evaluating the patient’s heart rate, and facilitating suctioning are important aspects of airway management but do not pertain specifically to the function of capnography. Blood oxygen levels are typically assessed through pulse oximetry, heart rate is measured using ECG or pulse monitoring, and suctioning is a procedural action rather than a monitoring method. Therefore, the distinct capability of capnography to measure