Question 1

Which of the following waveforms most accurately allows the clinician the recognition of auto-PEEP?

Accepted Answer

The flow-time waveform is used to identify auto-PEEP by observing the expiratory flow not returning to baseline before the next breath begins, indicating trapped air in the lungs.

Question 2

Compliance is defined as:

Accepted Answer

Compliance is defined as the volume change per unit of pressure change, indicating how much a structure can stretch or expand in response to pressure.

Question 3

If auto-PEEP is present, it is most likely to be detected if the expiratory limb of the patient circuit is occluded at what point in the cycle?

Accepted Answer

Auto-PEEP is best detected at the end of exhalation because it is the point where any trapped air due to incomplete exhalation would be most evident.

Question 4

When a patient's mechanical ventilator has a graphic display screen, which of the following waveforms could be used to determine whether there is any leak in the system and the amount of the leak?

Accepted Answer

The volume-time waveform can be used to determine leaks in the system by comparing the inspiratory and expiratory volumes. If there is a discrepancy, it indicates a leak.

Question 5

Which of the following values of VC is more consistent with impending respiratory failure?

Accepted Answer

A vital capacity (VC) of 10 mL/kg is critically low and indicates severe respiratory muscle weakness, which is consistent with impending respiratory failure.

Question 6

Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), pneumonia, and pulmonary edema are likely to cause a decrease in lung compliance. This is evidenced in a mechanically ventilated patient by an increase in:

Accepted Answer

An increase in static pressure indicates decreased lung compliance, as it reflects the pressure needed to maintain a given volume in the lungs when airflow is zero.

Question 7

In the intensive care unit (ICU), the airway resistance (Raw) of a mechanically ventilated patient can be estimated easily by using which of the following formulas?

Accepted Answer

Airway resistance (Raw) is calculated using the formula (Peak pressure - Static pressure)/Flow, which represents the pressure difference across the airway divided by the flow rate.

Question 8

Which of the following RSBI values would predict that the patient is least likely to be successfully weaned from mechanical ventilation?

Accepted Answer

A higher RSBI (Rapid Shallow Breathing Index) value indicates a higher likelihood of weaning failure. An RSBI of 100 suggests the patient is less likely to be successfully weaned compared to lower values.

Question 9

The ratio of respiratory frequency to tidal volume that is used to predict the likelihood of success in weaning the patient from mechanical ventilation is also known as:

Accepted Answer

The rapid-shallow breathing index (RSBI) is the ratio of respiratory frequency to tidal volume and is used to predict the likelihood of successful weaning from mechanical ventilation.

Question 10

The amount of force needed to maintain a mechanical tidal volume breath in the patient's lungs is known as _____ pressure.

Accepted Answer

Static pressure is the force needed to maintain a mechanical tidal volume breath in the patient's lungs without airflow.

Question 11

When the dead space-to-tidal volume ratio (V_D/V_T) is calculated, V_D refers to the _____ dead space.

Accepted Answer

The dead space-to-tidal volume ratio (V_D/V_T) uses physiologic dead space (V_D), which includes both anatomic and alveolar dead space.

Question 12

Which of the following values for the ratio of respiratory frequency to tidal volume would predict that the patient will likely be successfully weaned off the ventilator?

Accepted Answer

A ratio of respiratory frequency to tidal volume (f/VT) of less than 105 is generally considered a good predictor for successful weaning from mechanical ventilation. A value of 50 is well below this threshold, indicating a higher likelihood of successful weaning.

Question 13

An increase in which of the following is likely to increase the mean airway pressure (MAP)?
1) Flow rate
2) PEEP levels
3) Peak pressure
4) Expiratory time

Accepted Answer

Increasing PEEP levels and peak pressure directly increase MAP by raising baseline and peak pressures. Increasing flow rate can also increase MAP by affecting the inspiratory time and pressure delivery.

Question 14

The amount of force needed to overcome opposition to airflow in the lungs during mechanical ventilation is known as:

Accepted Answer

Peak pressure is the maximum pressure required to deliver a set volume of air to the lungs during mechanical ventilation, overcoming the resistance in the airways and the elastic recoil of the lungs and chest wall.

Question 15

Carbon dioxide production is increased by approximately what percentage per 1°C of body temperature in patients with fever?

Accepted Answer

Carbon dioxide production increases by approximately 10% for each 1°C rise in body temperature due to increased metabolic rate during fever.

Question 16

The highest incidence of postoperative morbidity is associated with which of the following surgery sites?

Accepted Answer

Thoracoabdominal surgeries involve both the thoracic and abdominal cavities, leading to a higher risk of complications and morbidity due to the complexity and invasiveness of the procedure.

Question 17

For weaning to be successful, the patient's spontaneous minute ventilation needs to be less than _____ L/min.

Accepted Answer

Successful weaning from mechanical ventilation typically requires the patient's spontaneous minute ventilation to be less than 10 L/min, indicating adequate respiratory function.

Question 18

Which of the following ventilator changes is most likely to increase the functional reserve capacity (FRC) and reduce the extent of acute lung injury?

Accepted Answer

Increasing Positive End-Expiratory Pressure (PEEP) helps to keep alveoli open at the end of expiration, thereby increasing the functional reserve capacity (FRC) and reducing the risk of acute lung injury by preventing alveolar collapse.

Question 19

Which of the following is normally used when PEEP levels are titrated to determine optimal PEEP?

Accepted Answer

The pressure-volume curve is used to determine optimal PEEP by identifying the lower inflection point, which indicates the point at which alveoli begin to open, and the upper inflection point, which indicates overdistension.

Question 20

When carbon dioxide elimination is monitored, the highest levels are obtained at the:

Accepted Answer

The highest levels of carbon dioxide are typically measured at the end of exhalation, known as the end-tidal CO2, because this is when the alveolar gas, which is rich in CO2, is expelled.

Quiz 14: Respiratory Monitoring in the Intensive Care Unit

Which of the following waveforms most accurately allows the clinician the recognition of auto-PEEP?

Compliance is defined as:

If auto-PEEP is present, it is most likely to be detected if the expiratory limb of the patient circuit is occluded at what point in the cycle?

When a patient's mechanical ventilator has a graphic display screen, which of the following waveforms could be used to determine whether there is any leak in the system and the amount of the leak?

Which of the following values of VC is more consistent with impending respiratory failure?

Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) , pneumonia, and pulmonary edema are likely to cause a decrease in lung compliance. This is evidenced in a mechanically ventilated patient by an increase in:

In the intensive care unit (ICU) , the airway resistance (Raw) of a mechanically ventilated patient can be estimated easily by using which of the following formulas?

Which of the following RSBI values would predict that the patient is least likely to be successfully weaned from mechanical ventilation?

The ratio of respiratory frequency to tidal volume that is used to predict the likelihood of success in weaning the patient from mechanical ventilation is also known as:

The amount of force needed to maintain a mechanical tidal volume breath in the patient's lungs is known as _____ pressure.

When the dead space-to-tidal volume ratio (V_D/V_T) is calculated, V_D refers to the _____ dead space.

Which of the following values for the ratio of respiratory frequency to tidal volume would predict that the patient will likely be successfully weaned off the ventilator?

An increase in which of the following is likely to increase the mean airway pressure (MAP) ? 1) Flow rate 2) PEEP levels 3) Peak pressure 4) Expiratory time

The amount of force needed to overcome opposition to airflow in the lungs during mechanical ventilation is known as:

Carbon dioxide production is increased by approximately what percentage per 1°C of body temperature in patients with fever?

The highest incidence of postoperative morbidity is associated with which of the following surgery sites?

For weaning to be successful, the patient's spontaneous minute ventilation needs to be less than _____ L/min.

Which of the following ventilator changes is most likely to increase the functional reserve capacity (FRC) and reduce the extent of acute lung injury?

Which of the following is normally used when PEEP levels are titrated to determine optimal PEEP?

When carbon dioxide elimination is monitored, the highest levels are obtained at the:

Quiz 14: Respiratory Monitoring in the Intensive Care Unit

Which of the following waveforms most accurately allows the clinician the recognition of auto-PEEP?

Compliance is defined as:

If auto-PEEP is present, it is most likely to be detected if the expiratory limb of the patient circuit is occluded at what point in the cycle?

When a patient's mechanical ventilator has a graphic display screen, which of the following waveforms could be used to determine whether there is any leak in the system and the amount of the leak?

Which of the following values of VC is more consistent with impending respiratory failure?

Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) , pneumonia, and pulmonary edema are likely to cause a decrease in lung compliance. This is evidenced in a mechanically ventilated patient by an increase in:

In the intensive care unit (ICU) , the airway resistance (Raw) of a mechanically ventilated patient can be estimated easily by using which of the following formulas?

Which of the following RSBI values would predict that the patient is least likely to be successfully weaned from mechanical ventilation?

The ratio of respiratory frequency to tidal volume that is used to predict the likelihood of success in weaning the patient from mechanical ventilation is also known as:

The amount of force needed to maintain a mechanical tidal volume breath in the patient's lungs is known as _____ pressure.

When the dead space-to-tidal volume ratio (VD/VT) is calculated, VD refers to the _____ dead space.

Which of the following values for the ratio of respiratory frequency to tidal volume would predict that the patient will likely be successfully weaned off the ventilator?

An increase in which of the following is likely to increase the mean airway pressure (MAP) ? 1) Flow rate 2) PEEP levels 3) Peak pressure 4) Expiratory time

The amount of force needed to overcome opposition to airflow in the lungs during mechanical ventilation is known as:

Carbon dioxide production is increased by approximately what percentage per 1°C of body temperature in patients with fever?

The highest incidence of postoperative morbidity is associated with which of the following surgery sites?

For weaning to be successful, the patient's spontaneous minute ventilation needs to be less than _____ L/min.

Which of the following ventilator changes is most likely to increase the functional reserve capacity (FRC) and reduce the extent of acute lung injury?

Which of the following is normally used when PEEP levels are titrated to determine optimal PEEP?

When carbon dioxide elimination is monitored, the highest levels are obtained at the:

When the dead space-to-tidal volume ratio (V_D/V_T) is calculated, V_D refers to the _____ dead space.