Scio Monitoring
368
Instructions for use – Infinity Acute Care System – Monitoring Applications VG6.n
Troubleshooting
In addition to evaluating the clinical status of a
patient, CO
2
waveforms can help troubleshoot
problems with equipment. The following table
shows how CO
2
waveforms can be used to identify
common problems.
Description
Cause
Capnogram
Alveolar plateau showing a
downward slope that merg-
es with a descending limb.
– Inadequate seal around the
endotracheal tube
– Leaky or deflated endotracheal
or tracheostomy cuff
– Artificial airway that is too small
for the patient
Elevated waveform base-
line with corresponding in-
crease in CO
2
level.
Rebreathing due to one of the fol-
lowing causes:
– Disposable airway adapter is
used although the Cockpit is
configured for the reusable
adapter type
– Contaminated airway adapter
(dirty window)
– CO
2
zero drift
– Insufficient expiratory time
– Faulty expiratory valve
– Inadequate inspiratory flow
– Malfunction of a CO
2
absorber
system
– Partial rebreathing circuits
