During CPR, an increase in end-tidal CO2 is most consistently associated with which event?

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Multiple Choice

During CPR, an increase in end-tidal CO2 is most consistently associated with which event?

End-tidal CO2 monitoring reflects how well CO2 is being transported to the lungs, which depends on cardiac output and pulmonary blood flow. During CPR, ETCO2 is usually low because the circulation is limited. When spontaneous circulation returns, pulmonary blood flow surges, delivering more CO2 to the lungs and causing a rapid rise in ETCO2. That sudden increase is the most consistent indicator that ROSC has occurred. Hyperventilation tends to lower ETCO2 by blowing off CO2, ventilator problems produce unpredictable changes, and hypovolemia reduces pulmonary perfusion and lowers ETCO2 rather than raises it.

End-tidal CO2 monitoring reflects how well CO2 is being transported to the lungs, which depends on cardiac output and pulmonary blood flow. During CPR, ETCO2 is usually low because the circulation is limited. When spontaneous circulation returns, pulmonary blood flow surges, delivering more CO2 to the lungs and causing a rapid rise in ETCO2. That sudden increase is the most consistent indicator that ROSC has occurred. Hyperventilation tends to lower ETCO2 by blowing off CO2, ventilator problems produce unpredictable changes, and hypovolemia reduces pulmonary perfusion and lowers ETCO2 rather than raises it.

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