Every Breath You Take: End-Tidal CO2 (EtCO2): A Strategy to Monitor Ventilation and Perfusion

Activity Summary

Required reading for all learners: Implicit Bias impacts patient outcomes

End-tidal CO2 (EtCO2) monitoring is routinely used during mechanical ventilation, procedural sedation and resuscitation. To facilitate safe care, nurses must have a good understanding of this monitoring method. This introductory session explores the physiology of ventilation and perfusion and the use of EtCO2 monitoring to evaluate physiological status. Real-time patient simulation is applied to explore EtCO2 waveforms. National guidance and care considerations are discussed.

Objectives

Explain the physiology associated with ventilation and perfusion and the role of EtCO2 monitoring to evaluate these elements.
Describe the components of normal and abnormal EtCO2 waveforms/trends, and their clinical significance in a variety of clinical settings.
Outline the national guidance, patient care recommendations and safety considerations for all patients receiving EtCO2 monitoring.

Continuing Education Disclosure Statement

Successful Completion

Learners must attend/view/read the entire activity and complete the associated evaluation to be awarded the contact hours or CERP. No partial credit will be awarded.

Disclosure

This activity has been reviewed by the Nurse Planner. It has been determined that the material presented here shows no bias. No conflicts of interest have been identified for any individual with the ability to influence the content of this activity. Accreditation refers to recognition of continuing education only and does not imply AACN or ANCC approval or endorsement of any commercial products discussed or displayed in conjunction with this educational activity.

Accreditation

The American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN) is accredited as a provider of nursing continuing professional development by the American Nurses Credentialing Center's (ANCC's) Commission on Accreditation, ANCC Provider Number 0012. AACN has been approved as a provider of continuing education in nursing by the California State Board of Nursing (CBRN), California Provider number CEP 1036. This activity is approved for 1.00 contact hours.

AACN programming meets the standards for most states that require mandatory continuing education contact hours for license and/or certification renewal. AACN recommends consulting with your state board of nursing or credentialing organization before submitting CE to fulfill continuing education requirements.

Refund Policy

Continuing Education Activities are nonrefundable.