Alaris® EtCO2 module
Topic 1: Overview of End Tidal CO2 Monitoring

Resources

Abnormal Waveform: Hypoventilation with Shallow Breathing

On the right is an example of an abnormal EtCO2/respiratory waveform.

This example demonstrates poor expired alveolar plateau measurements and shallow expired lung tidal volumes (flat waveform and low EtCO2 measurement). This flat waveform is followed by a high peak alveolar plateau of expired EtCO2.

This abnormal waveform is typical of a patient who has opioid respiratory depression where respiratory rate is irregular, shallow, and followed by a high peak of EtCO2 measurement.

NOTE: More information on clinical waveform understanding and troubleshooting can be found in Topics 6 and 7: "Responding to Abnormal Waveforms" and "Putting EtCO2 Monitoring into Practice."