What method is used to measure exhaled carbon dioxide levels?

Capnometry is the method specifically used to measure exhaled carbon dioxide levels. This technique involves the use of a capnometer, a device that provides real-time monitoring of carbon dioxide concentration in exhaled air. By assessing exhaled CO2, healthcare providers can gain valuable insights into a patient’s ventilatory status, effectiveness of respiration, and overall metabolic state.

This makes capnometry particularly useful in both pre-hospital and hospital settings, especially in emergency situations where changes in a patient's condition can be rapidly assessed. The ability to monitor CO2 levels can help detect respiratory failure, ensure correct endotracheal tube placement, and manage patients during sedation or general anesthesia.

In contrast, spirometry measures the volume and flow of air during inhalation and exhalation, which relates to lung function rather than direct analysis of exhaled CO2. Pulse oximetry provides information on oxygen saturation levels in the blood and does not measure carbon dioxide. Vital signs monitoring encompasses a range of physiological data but typically does not include CO2 concentration measurements specifically. Thus, capnometry stands out as the appropriate choice for measuring exhaled carbon dioxide levels.