What might indicate a leak in the capnography system?

A leak in the capnography system can manifest as drops in CO2 concentration readings. When there is a leak, the concentration of carbon dioxide detected by the capnometer may decrease because exhaled CO2 is escaping rather than being measured effectively by the device. This results in inconsistent or lower-than-expected CO2 levels.

A normal waveform suggests that the capnography system is functioning properly, with expected patterns in the CO2 readings corresponding to the respiratory cycle. Consistent ETCO2 levels would indicate that there is a stable gas exchange occurring and no leakage is present, as the readings should remain within a normal range. An increased heart rate might suggest physiological responses to various factors, but it does not directly indicate an issue with the capnography system itself. Therefore, monitoring for drops in CO2 concentration is crucial to identify any potential leakage in the apparatus.