Capnography for the veterinary nurse

Abstract

According to reports, small animal anaesthesia appears to be increasing in safety. However, greater patient care during the peri-anaesthetic period would further reduce fatalities. While there is no direct evidence to prove that the use of capnography can reduce the risk of mortality, it has been shown to prevent morbidities and has allowed for the early detection of complications before significant physiological side effects are seen. Capnography is becoming more commonplace in veterinary practice; however, it is reported that not all registered veterinary nurses feel comfortable with its use. This article provides detailed information on capnography so that registered veterinary nurses will be more knowledgeable and confident in using this method to detect and correct any issues that arise.