Question

Please explain how to monitor the number of hours the soda lime has been used in the CO2 canister. What changes would you expect to see in the soda lime once it is no longer effective? Also explain why monitoring and tracking the soda lime consumption is so important.

Answer 1

To monitor the number of hours the soda lime has been used in the CO2 canister, a log book or an indicator like pH paper can be used where it's color can determine the acidity or the basicity of the reaction between soda lime and CO₂. When the indicators change its color from white to pink, it means that the soda lime

The presence of CO₂ in the canister changes the color of an indicator contained in soda lime from white to pink, this change in color indicates that the soda lime is almost worn out and hence becomes ineffective.

Usually, CO2 canister gets depleted in 6 - 8 hours of use.

Proper monitoring and tracking of soda lime consumption is important because once the soda lime is fully drained, there is only CO₂ left in the canister inhaling to which can have some very serious impact of patient's health.