What does capnography measure?

Capnography measures the concentration of carbon dioxide in exhaled air, providing valuable insights into a patient's respiratory status. By analyzing the levels of carbon dioxide during exhalation, healthcare providers can assess ventilation and identify potential respiratory issues. This includes monitoring for adequate gas exchange and detecting conditions such as hypercapnia or hypoventilation, making capnography a crucial tool in both clinical and emergency settings.

Understanding the carbon dioxide levels helps in managing patients' ventilation more effectively and is particularly important in situations like anesthesia, critical care, and during procedures that require sedation. The other options, while related to respiratory function, focus on different parameters that capnography does not measure.