Airway Obstruction
Analgesics, Opioid
Apnea
Capnography
Carbon Dioxide

Capnography

This activity reviews the principles, clinical applications, and interpretation of capnography for healthcare professionals involved in the care of patients requiring respiratory monitoring. Capnography provides continuous, noninvasive assessment of exhaled carbon dioxide and can provide early information about ventilation, airway patency, and changes in respiratory status. The activity examines capnography waveforms, end-tidal carbon dioxide measurements, normal and abnormal patterns, and factors that can affect interpretation. Clinical applications include procedural sedation, mechanical ventilation, airway management, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, and monitoring of patients receiving opioid therapy. The activity also addresses the limitations of capnography and the importance of integrating capnographic findings with clinical assessment and other monitoring modalities. By improving clinicians’ ability to recognize and interpret changes in end-tidal carbon dioxide and capnography waveforms, this activity supports timely identification of hypoventilation, apnea, airway obstruction, and other changes in respiratory and cardiopulmonary status.

Credit & MOC Details

Credit information is provided by the course provider. We recommend confirming credit eligibility with the provider or your licensing board before starting the activity.