FCCS Respiratory Management Flashcards

Non-invasive positive pressure ventilation (NIPPV) is CONTRAINDICATED in which condition?

Answer: Unprotected airway with inability to protect from aspiration

Patients unable to protect their airway (e.g., altered mental status, vomiting) are at high aspiration risk and NIPPV is contraindicated.

What ventilator alarm setting most directly protects against accidental extubation or circuit disconnect?

Answer: Low minute ventilation alarm

A low minute ventilation alarm detects a significant drop in delivered ventilation, alerting clinicians to possible extubation or circuit disconnect.

In obstructive lung disease, which ventilator adjustment reduces auto-PEEP (air trapping)?

Answer: Decrease inspiratory time / increase expiratory time

Prolonging expiratory time allows trapped air to escape, reducing intrinsic PEEP in patients with obstructive physiology.

A patient's SpO2 drops from 96% to 88% after suctioning. What is the best immediate action?

Answer: Reconnect to ventilator and increase FiO2 temporarily

After suctioning, reconnecting to supplemental oxygen and temporarily increasing FiO2 rapidly corrects hypoxemia caused by the interruption of ventilation.

Which drug class is first-line for bronchospasm in a mechanically ventilated patient?

Answer: Inhaled short-acting beta-2 agonists

Inhaled short-acting beta-2 agonists (e.g., albuterol) via inline nebulizer are the first-line treatment for bronchospasm in ventilated patients.

What does an increasing PaCO2 with rising respiratory rate in a ventilated patient suggest?

Answer: Increasing dead space ventilation or worsening respiratory failure

Rising PaCO2 despite increased respiratory effort indicates worsening dead space or underlying deterioration that ventilation cannot compensate.