Alaris® EtCO2 module
Topic 7: Putting EtCO2 Monitoring into Practice

Resources

Using Continuous Monitoring: Example #1*

Case: Surgical post-op patient with partial left lower lobectomy. PCA morphine for pain control. Continuous EtCO2 and SpO2 monitoring.

Clinical Findings:

• SpO2 to low 80's
• EtCO2 from 36 to 31 mmHg (within alarm limits)
• RR from 20 to 24 breaths/minute (within alarm limits)

Clinical Interventions:

• Notified RT staff, supplemental O2 from 2 to 10 liters
• 2 hours later, SpO2 resumes alarming into the low 70’s

Outcome:

• Patient transferred to ICU
• Chest x-ray and diagnosis of bilateral pneumonia

Learning Point: Continuous monitoring helps detect respiratory hypoxia when RR and EtCO2 values remain within normal limits. Use critical thinking and notice trends.³