EtCO
2
- 18
MAINSTREAM MESSAGES
Message/Symptom
Possible Cause(s)
Recommended Action(s)
Sensor not responding to
breaths. CO
2
waveform always
at 0 mmHg with no messages
displayed.
or
CO
2
waveform baseline
> 25 mmHg with no messages
displayed.
Sensor/Adapter was zeroed with a low level
of residual CO
2
in the adapter. CO
2
baseline is set below 0 mmHg.
Airway adapter type was changed with unit
powered off. New sensor/adapter
combination has not been zeroed.
Perform a mainstream airway adapter zero
as described in "Zeroing the Mainstream
Sensor/Airway Adapter" on page 6.
CHECK CO2 ADAPTER
displayed during each
inhalation. Message disappears
during exhalation.
CHECK CO2 ADAPTER
alternates with ZERO CO2
ADAPTER shortly after
breathing stops.
Sensor/Adapter was zeroed with a low level
of residual CO
2
in the adapter. CO
2
baseline is set below 0 mmHg.
Perform a mainstream airway adapter zero
as described in "Zeroing the Mainstream
Sensor/Airway Adapter" on page 6.
CHECK CO2 ADAPTER
Usually caused when the airway adapter is
removed from the CAPNOSTAT 3, or when
there is an optical blockage on the windows
of the airway adapter.
May also be caused by not having
performed an adapter zero after changing
the adapter type.
Clean airway adapter and reattach it. If the
problem persists or the adapter type was
changed, perform a mainstream airway
adapter zero as described in "Zeroing the
Mainstream Sensor/Airway Adapter" on
page 6.
CHECK CO2 SENSOR
Sensor cable not properly plugged in or
over temperature.
Check that sensor cable is plugged in and
properly seated in the connector.
Check that sensor is not exposed to
excessive heat.
If problem persists, replace sensor.
CO2 IN ADAPTER: WAIT
There is CO
2
in the adapter when
attempting to zero.
Zeroing was attempted within 20 seconds
of previous zero operation.
Remove adapter from CO
2
source including
the patient’s - and your own - exhaled
breaths, and ventilator exhaust valves.
Wait up to 20 seconds before retrying
adapter zero.
REPLACE CO2 SENSOR
Sensor is defective or incompatible
(message appears when “WARM UP’
message is displayed for more than 5
minutes).
Replace sensor.
USE AIRWAY ADAPTER
CO
2
sensor is on the “REF” or “0” cell when
zeroing is started.
Remove CO
2
sensor from the “REF” or “0”
cell and attach airway adapter to CO
2
sensor.
ZERO CO2 ADAPTER
Sensor cable connected to M Series unit for
the first time. Zeroing error or probe drift
error detected.
Perform a mainstream airway adapter zero
as described in "Zeroing the Mainstream
Sensor/Airway Adapter" on page 6.
ZEROING CO2 ADAPTER
Adapter zeroing in progress.
Wait for adapter zeroing to finish.