Question

Capnography: What causes an elevated inspiratory baseline?

1) Increased dead space ventilation
2) Decreased dead space ventilation
3) Increased alveolar ventilation
4) Decreased alveolar ventilation

Answer 1

An elevated inspiratory baseline in capnography can be caused by decreased dead space ventilation or increased alveolar ventilation.

Step-by-step explanation:

An elevated inspiratory baseline in capnography can be caused by

• Decreased dead space ventilation
• Increased alveolar ventilation

Inspired CO2 during inspiration may be higher than expired CO2, leading to an elevated baseline. This can occur when there is a decrease in dead space ventilation or an increase in alveolar ventilation. Both of these situations result in more carbon dioxide being delivered to the lungs for expiration, leading to an elevated baseline on the capnography waveform.