Ventilator Management and Respiratory Support Flashcards

What is the recommended lung-protective tidal volume for a mechanically ventilated adult patient during critical care transport?

Answer: 6-8 mL/kg ideal body weight

Lung-protective ventilation targets 6-8 mL/kg of ideal body weight to minimize ventilator-induced lung injury.

Which ventilator parameter most directly reflects alveolar plateau pressure and risk of barotrauma?

Answer: Plateau pressure

Plateau pressure reflects static alveolar distending pressure and should be kept below 30 cmH2O to reduce barotrauma risk.

The primary purpose of PEEP in mechanical ventilation is to:

Answer: Prevent alveolar collapse at end expiration

PEEP maintains positive end-expiratory pressure to prevent alveolar derecruitment and improve oxygenation.

During transport, a ventilated patient's SpO2 drops to 88%. The FiO2 is 0.60 and PEEP is 5 cmH2O. What is the most appropriate initial intervention?

Answer: Increase PEEP to 8-10 cmH2O

Increasing PEEP recruits collapsed alveoli and improves oxygenation when FiO2 escalation alone is insufficient.

What I:E ratio is typically used as a starting point for most mechanically ventilated adults?

Answer: 1:2

A 1:2 I:E ratio (inspiration half the length of expiration) is the standard starting point, allowing adequate exhalation time.

In volume-control ventilation, if the patient's lung compliance decreases, which parameter will change?

Answer: Peak inspiratory pressure

In volume-control mode, the ventilator delivers the set tidal volume regardless of compliance, so decreased compliance manifests as increased peak inspiratory pressure.

Which of the following is the primary advantage of pressure-control ventilation over volume-control ventilation?

Answer: Limits peak airway pressure and reduces barotrauma risk

Pressure-control ventilation delivers breaths to a set pressure limit, which protects against high peak airway pressures and barotrauma.