What is the normal ETCO2 range?

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Multiple Choice

What is the normal ETCO2 range?

Explanation:
End-tidal CO2 (ETCO2) reflects the amount of CO2 being exhaled at the end of a breath, which closely follows arterial CO2 levels. In healthy adults, PaCO2 is around 40 mmHg, and ETCO2 is typically a few points lower due to dead space ventilation, placing the normal ETCO2 around the mid-30s to low 40s. The commonly accepted target used in many EMS guidelines is a normal range of about 35-40 mmHg. The other options fall outside this typical range: 45-50 is higher than normal, while 15-20 and 20-25 are clearly too low. So 35-40 mmHg best represents a normal ETCO2.

End-tidal CO2 (ETCO2) reflects the amount of CO2 being exhaled at the end of a breath, which closely follows arterial CO2 levels. In healthy adults, PaCO2 is around 40 mmHg, and ETCO2 is typically a few points lower due to dead space ventilation, placing the normal ETCO2 around the mid-30s to low 40s. The commonly accepted target used in many EMS guidelines is a normal range of about 35-40 mmHg. The other options fall outside this typical range: 45-50 is higher than normal, while 15-20 and 20-25 are clearly too low. So 35-40 mmHg best represents a normal ETCO2.

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