19
TROUBLESHOOTING
Note:
Always
check
the
patient
condition
first
before
working
to
correct
any
perceived
monitoring
problems!
The
perceived
problem
with
the
CO2
reading
and
capnogram
monitors
may
be
due
to
a
patient
problem,
such
as
not
breathing
properly
or
not
being
ventilated
properly
which
needs
to
be
detected
and
remedied
immediately.
Always
crosscheck
other
patient
status
inputs
when
there
is
a
perceived
problem
with
any
monitor.
Failure
to
display
a
usable
CO2
waveform
and
clinically
appropriate
numbers
can
be
caused
by
a
number
of
problems
and
can
usually
be
fixed
by
correcting
one
or
more
of
the
following
technical/equipment
problems
after
patient
problems
have
been
detected
and
eliminated:
1)
Is
the
CO2
sensor
properly
connected
to
the
CO2
connector
on
the
II
?
Try
disconnecting
it
and
then
reconnecting
it
making
sure
that
it
is
in
the
“CO2”
connector
(not
the
“ECG”
connector)
and
that
it
is
securely
seated
and
is
properly
retained
in
the
unit
if
gently
pulled.
2)
Are
the
CO2
sensor
and
airway
adapter
properly
placed
in
the
ventilation
circuit?
Make
sure
the
sensor
is
connected
in
the
breathing
circuit
close
to
the
patient’s
airway
(ET
tube)
and
if
a
ventilator
is
being
used,
make
sure
the
sensor
is
close
to
the
patient
and
between
the
patient
and
the
“Y”
of
the
ventilator.
Confirm
that
the
ventilation
circuit
and
all
of
its
elements
are
properly
placed
and
securely
connected.
3)
Is
the
automatic
ventilator
(or
the
“bagger”)
functioning
properly?
Make
sure
that
the
respiratory
rate
and
volume
are
set
correctly
and
are
functioning
properly.