16-1
16 Monitoring Carbon Dioxide
(for uMEC12/uMEC15)
16.1 Introduction
CO
2
monitoring is a continuous, non-invasive technique for determining the concentration of
CO
2
in the patient’ airway by measuring the absorption of infrared (IR) light of specific
wavelengths. CO
2
has its own absorption characteristic and the amount of light passing the
gas probe depends on the concentration of the measured CO
2.
When a specific band of IR
light is passed through respiratory gas samples, some of IR light will be absorbed by the CO
2
molecules. The amount of IR light transmitted after it has been passed through the respiratory
gas sample is measured with a photodetector. From the amount of IR light measured, the
concentration of CO
2
is calculated.
CO
2 measurements are used to monitor the patient’s respiratory status.
CO
2 monitoring is intended for adult, pediatric and neonatal patients.
16.2 Safety
WARNING
z Remove the airway sampling line from the patient’s airway while nebulized
medications are being delivered.
z Leakage in the breathing or sampling system may cause the displayed EtCO
values to be significantly low. Always make sure that all components are securely
connected.
z EtCO
values measured from the CO
module may differ from those of from the
blood gas analysis.
z Route all tubing away from the patient’s throat to avoid strangulation.
z Inspect the airway adapter for a tight connection and proper operation before
attaching it to the patient.
z Squeezing or bending the sampling line during the CO
measurement may cause
inaccurate CO
reading or no reading.
z Avoid mechanical shock to the CO
module configuring the paramagnetic oxygen
sensor.
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