What is the primary purpose of capnography in Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS)?

The primary purpose of capnography in Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) is to monitor the effectiveness of ventilation and chest compressions. Capnography measures the concentration of carbon dioxide (CO2) in exhaled air, providing real-time feedback on how well a patient is ventilating.

During cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), monitoring end-tidal CO2 levels can help assess whether chest compressions are adequate — specifically, ensuring that blood flow to the lungs is sufficient to allow for the removal of CO2 from the bloodstream. A sudden increase in end-tidal CO2 can indicate improved circulation and effective compressions, while low or absent CO2 levels may suggest inadequate ventilation or ineffective chest compressions, prompting immediate action to improve the quality of CPR.

In contrast to the other choices, capnography does not specifically monitor heart rate, assess blood pressure, or evaluate oxygen saturation. Each of these parameters is important in the assessment of a patient's overall condition, but capnography uniquely provides insights into ventilation effectiveness and the physiological status of the patient during resuscitation efforts, making it a critical tool in PALS.