Capnography in sedation and pain management.

Monitoring respiratory rate, effort and efficacy of ventilation during pain management and sedation can be difficult in the field. Capnography is an ideal monitor for use during the administration of narcotics and benzodiazepines. The addition of EtCO2 monitoring enables earlier identification of respiratory depression in this group of patients. Standard vital signs, oxygen saturation and EtCO2 must also be monitored continuously. End-tidal carbon dioxide monitoring, although not required on all patients, provides an earlier indication of respiratory depression than pulse oximetry and respiratory rate alone.