What does an ongoing capnography waveform indicate after airway placement?

What does an ongoing capnography waveform indicate after airway placement?

• A. End-tidal CO2 is absent, indicating misplacement
• B. End-tidal CO2 is present, supporting correct tracheal placement and ongoing ventilation
• C. Capnography becomes unreliable after airway placement
• D. End-tidal CO2 is not relevant to airway confirmation

Answer: (B)

An ongoing capnography waveform shows that CO2 is being exhaled from the lungs and detected by the monitor. This means the airway device is in the trachea and that ventilation is actually delivering gas to the lungs and removing CO2 with each breath. The presence of a continuing end-tidal CO2 trace confirms ongoing ventilation and proper placement. If the waveform were to disappear or become flat, that would raise concern for misplacement (such as esophageal intubation), disconnection, or apnea, rather than a problem with ventilation once the airway is secured.

An ongoing capnography waveform shows that CO2 is being exhaled from the lungs and detected by the monitor. This means the airway device is in the trachea and that ventilation is actually delivering gas to the lungs and removing CO2 with each breath. The presence of a continuing end-tidal CO2 trace confirms ongoing ventilation and proper placement. If the waveform were to disappear or become flat, that would raise concern for misplacement (such as esophageal intubation), disconnection, or apnea, rather than a problem with ventilation once the airway is secured.