title: Capnography in sedation and pain management.
abstract: Monitoring respiratory rate, effort and efficacy of ventilation during pain management and sedation can be difficult in the field. Capnography is an ideal monitor for use during the administration of narcotics and benzodiazepines. The addition of EtCO2 monitoring enables earlier identification of respiratory depression in this group of patients. Standard vital signs, oxygen saturation and EtCO2 must also be monitored continuously. End-tidal carbon dioxide monitoring, although not required on all patients, provides an earlier indication of respiratory depression than pulse oximetry and respiratory rate alone.
authors.affiliation: Inter-Canyon Fire/Rescue, Morrison, CO, USA. prioritymed@mindspring.com
authors.forename: Dan
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Hatlestad
mesh_terms: D019296:Capnography; D004632:Emergency Medical Services / Q000379:methods*; D004638:Emergency Treatment / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008991:Monitoring, Physiologic / Q000379:methods; D010146:Pain / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012119:Respiration; D014481:United States
chemical_list: D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives