CO2 Troubleshooting Guide

Information on CO2 Monitoring

  • CO2 measurement will begin automatically after the sensor has been attached to the breathing circuit.
  • Dashed lines appear in the numeric field when there is not yet a measured value available, however the CO2module is running.
  • Do not disconnect the CO2 intermediate cable from or reconnect to the C3 during operation. Always power the device down first.
  • Stretching the CO2 cable and incorrect cable management may cause mechanical stress damage and impair CO2.
  • Do not use CO2 monitoring with re inhalation anaesthesia systems. Re-inhaled CO2 can lead to false readings.
  • Only use sensors and adaptors approved by the manufacturer.

Appearance of Altered Waveform Characteristics

 

CO2_Cut off curve

Situation:

Capnography waveform appears cut off at the top. 

Possible Cause:

Incorrect scale set.

 Action:

Check the scaling and set to a more clinically appropriate scale.

  • Select the CO2 waveform field and open the CO2 context menu
  • Select the required scale in the context menu and confirm 

mmHg scale options: 0-60, 0-80, 0-100

kPa scale options: 0-8.0, 0-10.7, 0-13.3


dashed lines on curve

Situation:

A dashed line appears at the top of the capnography waveform and two dashes appear in the numeric field.

Possible Cause:

The CO2 measurement is outside the specified range capability of the CO2 module.

Action:

Clinical management to decrease the ETCO2.


CO2 curves 1

Situation:

Capnography waveform appears too wide or too narrow and does not represent the respiratory rate accurately.

Possible Cause:

Incorrect sweep speed set.

 Action:

Check the sweep speed and set to a more clinically appropriate sweep speed.

  • Select the CO2 waveform field and open the CO2 context menu
  • Select the required scale in the context menu and confirm 

Sweep speed options: 3.13 mm/s, 6.25 mm/s, 12.5 mm/s, 25 mm/s


Situation:

mmHg is displayed instead of kPa or vice versa.

Possible Cause:

The unit of measurement has been altered or incorrectly configured.

Action:

Check the unit of measurement and set to a more suitable unit.

  • Select the CO2 waveform field and open the CO2 context menu
  • Select the required unit of measurement in the context menu and confirm

Unit options: mmHg or kPa


CO2 troublshooting 3

Situation:

No CO2 waveform in the presence of a CO2 apnoea alarm

Possible Cause:

Complete airway obstruction, displayed airway adjunct or oesophageal intubation, cardiac arrest.

Action:

Initiate appropriate clinical intervention.

 

Situation:

No CO2 waveform is displayed.

Possible Cause:

Capnography may not have been connected.

Action:

Check all capnography components are properly fitted together.


 

Use the link below to download the information:

CO2 Troubleshooting Guide - PDF