Monitoring Equipment & Technology Flashcards

Which component of a capnograph waveform corresponds to alveolar plateau?

Answer: Phase III

Phase III of the capnograph waveform represents the alveolar plateau, where exhaled CO2 reaches its maximum concentration.

What does a sudden decrease in end-tidal CO2 to near zero most likely indicate?

Answer: Esophageal intubation

A sudden drop of ETCO2 to near zero strongly suggests esophageal intubation, as the esophagus produces no CO2.

The anesthesia machine's oxygen flush valve delivers oxygen at approximately what flow rate?

Answer: 35-75 L/min

The oxygen flush valve delivers a high flow of 35-75 L/min to rapidly fill the breathing circuit with oxygen.

Which alarm condition is indicated by a sustained loss of airway pressure in a mechanically ventilated patient?

Answer: Circuit disconnection

A sustained loss of airway pressure in a mechanically ventilated patient most commonly indicates circuit disconnection.

In a pulse oximeter, which wavelengths of light are used to differentiate oxyhemoglobin from deoxyhemoglobin?

Answer: 660 nm and 940 nm

Pulse oximeters use red light (660 nm) and infrared light (940 nm) because oxyhemoglobin and deoxyhemoglobin absorb these wavelengths differently.

What is the primary cause of falsely low SpO2 readings with pulse oximetry in patients with severe peripheral vasoconstriction?

Answer: Reduced pulsatile blood flow

Severe vasoconstriction reduces pulsatile blood flow at the probe site, making it difficult for the oximeter to detect the signal accurately.

Which monitoring modality best detects early myocardial ischemia during anesthesia?

Answer: Lead V5 ECG

Lead V5 is the single best lead for detecting left ventricular ischemia, covering the territory of the left anterior descending artery.