Certified Post Anesthesia Nurse (CPAN) Practice Exam

Which assessment tool is used to monitor respiratory function following anesthesia?

1. Oximetry

2. Capnography

3. Telemetry

4. Electrocardiogram

The correct answer is: Capnography

Capnography is the correct assessment tool for monitoring respiratory function following anesthesia because it measures the concentration of carbon dioxide in exhaled air. This information is crucial for assessing a patient's ventilation status in real-time, allowing clinicians to identify respiratory depression or inadequate ventilation, which are potential complications following anesthesia. Oximetry, while also important, specifically measures oxygen saturation in the blood and does not provide information about carbon dioxide levels. Telemetry is primarily used for continuous cardiac monitoring and detecting heart rhythm issues rather than respiratory function. The electrocardiogram (ECG) is used to monitor heart activity, providing insights into the cardiac status but not directly assessing respiratory function. Thus, capnography stands out as the most relevant tool for evaluating respiratory function in the post-anesthesia care setting.