RRT Mechanical Ventilation Flashcards
6 cards from real RRT practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 6 RRT Mechanical Ventilation flashcards as text
Which ventilator mode is most appropriate for a patient in early weaning who has some spontaneous effort?
Answer: Pressure Support Ventilation (PSV)
PSV augments spontaneous breaths with a set pressure, encouraging patient effort while unloading respiratory muscles during weaning.
What immediate action should be taken if a ventilated patient triggers a high-pressure alarm?
Answer: Manually ventilate with bag-mask and assess for cause (secretions, bronchospasm, pneumothorax)
Disconnecting and manually ventilating while assessing the patient allows safe oxygenation while investigating the cause of increased airway resistance or compliance change.
What is the recommended head-of-bed elevation to reduce ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) risk?
Answer: 30–45 degrees
Elevating the head of bed 30–45 degrees reduces aspiration of gastric contents and oropharyngeal secretions, decreasing VAP risk.
A ventilated patient has PaCO2 of 55 mmHg and pH of 7.28. What ventilator change is most appropriate?
Answer: Increase respiratory rate or tidal volume to increase minute ventilation
Increasing minute ventilation (via rate or tidal volume) increases CO2 elimination, correcting respiratory acidosis.
Which condition requires immediate needle decompression in a mechanically ventilated patient with sudden hemodynamic collapse?
Answer: Tension pneumothorax
Tension pneumothorax causes mediastinal shift, impairs venous return, and leads to cardiovascular collapse; needle decompression is lifesaving.
What is the formula for calculating minute ventilation?
Answer: Respiratory rate × Tidal volume
Minute ventilation (VE) = respiratory rate × tidal volume, representing the total volume of gas exchanged per minute.