Final answer:
Capnography measures the concentration of CO2 in exhaled breath. If the CO2 absorbent is exhausted, capnography readings would be inaccurate, leading to incorrect interpretation of the patient's ventilatory status.
Step-by-step explanation:
Capnography is a medical monitoring technique that measures the concentration of carbon dioxide (CO2) in exhaled breath. It is commonly used during anesthesia and critical care procedures. The CO2 absorbent plays a crucial role in capnography as it removes CO2 from the exhaled breath before it is measured.
If the CO2 absorbent is exhausted, it would no longer be able to effectively remove CO2 from the exhaled breath. As a result, the capnography readings would be inaccurate. The measured CO2 concentration would be higher than the actual value, leading to incorrect interpretation of the patient's ventilatory status.
It is important to monitor the status of the CO2 absorbent and replace it when necessary to ensure accurate capnography readings.