Final answer:
Capnography allows paramedics to objectively evaluate respiratory functions by tracking exhaled CO2, but it cannot assess metabolic conditions such as kidney disease.
Step-by-step explanation:
By tracking the carbon dioxide (CO2) in a patient's exhaled breath, capnography enables paramedics to objectively evaluate a variety of respiratory and circulatory functions. However, capnography does not directly measure metabolic conditions such as kidney disease, which is beyond its scope; rather, it is focused on respiratory functionality and ventilation status. The Douglas bag method is a technique that allows both oxygen consumption and CO2 production to be measured, and lab tests for pH, CO2 partial pressure (pCO2), and HCO3 can indicate acidosis or alkalosis, identifying if the imbalance is respiratory or metabolic. Conditions of hypercapnia and hypocapnia indicate abnormally high or low blood levels of CO2, respectively, which can be identified through capnography. Yet, capnography does not provide information on the metabolic component of acid-base balance, which is orchestrated by the kidneys and requires separate assessment.