Certified Respiratory Therapist Practice Exam

To continuously monitor ventilation adequacy in a patient on mask BIPAP, which method is suggested?

1. Arterial Blood Gas Analysis

2. Capnography

3. Transcutaneous PCO2 Analysis

4. Spirometry

The correct answer is: Transcutaneous PCO2 Analysis

Monitoring ventilation adequacy in a patient on mask BIPAP is crucial for ensuring effective therapy and patient safety. Continuous monitoring of PCO2 levels is essential in assessing the effectiveness of ventilation provided by non-invasive ventilation strategies like BIPAP. Transcutaneous PCO2 analysis offers a non-invasive and continuous method to accurately measure the partial pressure of carbon dioxide in the blood through the skin, allowing for real-time feedback on the patient's ventilatory status. This method can quickly indicate whether the patient's ventilation is sufficient or if adjustments are needed in the BIPAP settings. The ability to receive continuous data on PCO2 levels helps healthcare providers make timely interventions when there are issues such as inadequate ventilation or hypoventilation. Other methods, while useful in their own right, do not provide the same level of continuous monitoring as transcutaneous PCO2 analysis. Arterial blood gas analysis, while highly accurate, is an invasive procedure and does not allow for continuous monitoring. Capnography measures exhaled CO2 but may not accurately reflect systemic CO2 levels in all cases. Spirometry assesses lung function but does not provide direct information on the adequacy of ventilation in real-time.