What does capnography help confirm during bag-valve-mask ventilation?

What does capnography help confirm during bag-valve-mask ventilation?

• A. It confirms ventilation and helps detect airway placement or dislodgement by showing a capnography waveform and end-tidal CO2.
• B. It measures oxygen saturation.
• C. It assesses airway suction effectiveness.
• D. It monitors blood pressure.

Answer: (A)

Capnography provides a real-time readout of exhaled CO2, so during bag-valve-mask ventilation you can see a consistent capnography waveform and a measurable end-tidal CO2. That waveform confirms that air is being ventilated into and out of the lungs, indicating effective ventilation. It also helps detect airway problems: if the airway is not patent or the mask seal or tube is displaced, the waveform can disappear or drop, signaling dislodgement or loss of ventilation. Oxygen saturation measures oxygen levels rather than immediate ventilation, suction effectiveness isn’t about ventilation, and blood pressure is unrelated to ventilation status.

Capnography provides a real-time readout of exhaled CO2, so during bag-valve-mask ventilation you can see a consistent capnography waveform and a measurable end-tidal CO2. That waveform confirms that air is being ventilated into and out of the lungs, indicating effective ventilation. It also helps detect airway problems: if the airway is not patent or the mask seal or tube is displaced, the waveform can disappear or drop, signaling dislodgement or loss of ventilation. Oxygen saturation measures oxygen levels rather than immediate ventilation, suction effectiveness isn’t about ventilation, and blood pressure is unrelated to ventilation status.