How Can Capnography Aid in Diagnosing Specific Toxin Exposures?
Capnography can help identify the type of toxin exposure by revealing specific patterns in the capnogram: - Opioid Toxicity: Usually presents with a decreased respiratory rate and increased ETCO2 due to hypoventilation. - Salicylate Poisoning: May show a pattern of hyperventilation with low ETCO2, as the body tries to compensate for metabolic acidosis. - Carbon Monoxide Poisoning: While capnography won't show CO levels directly, it can indicate hypoxia and hyperventilation patterns.
