Physio-Control LIFEPAK 20e - Manual (Page 13)

Pre
face
Preface
LIFEPAK 20e Defibrillator/Monitor Operating Instructions xi
©2006-2013 Physio-Control, Inc.
ABOUT ETCO
2
MONITORING
The end-tidal carbon dioxide (EtCO
2
) monitor is a capnograph device that uses non-dispersive
infrared spectroscopy to continuously measure the amount of CO
2
during each breath and report
the amount present at the end of exhalation (EtCO
2
). The sample is obtained by the side stream
method and can be used with intubated or nonintubated patients. Respiration rate is also
measured and displayed in breaths per minute.
The EtCO
2
monitor is a tool to be used in addition to patient assessment. Care should be taken
to assess the patient at all times; do not rely solely on the EtCO
2
monitor.
Indications
EtCO
2
monitoring is used to detect the level of expired CO
2
. It is used for monitoring breathing
efficacy and treatment effectiveness in acute cardiopulmonary care, for example, to determine if
adequate compressions are being performed during CPR or to rapidly detect whether an
endotracheal tube has been placed successfully.
Contraindications
None known.