The RT Performs a Patient-Ventilator System Check on a 24-Year-Old,5-Foot,10-Inch

The RT performs a patient-ventilator system check on a 24-year-old,5-foot,10-inch male patient who has been intubated because of a drug overdose.The RT notices what appears to be swelling around the patient's upper anterior chest and neck area.Palpation elicits a tissue paper feeling.The ventilator settings are: VC-CMV,rate 12/min with no patient assist,Vᴛ 900 mL,PEEP 5 cm H₂O,FɪO₂ 0.4,Tɪ 1.2 sec.The most appropriate action for the RT to take is which of the following?

A) Increase the set flow rate.
B) Decrease the set tidal volume.
C) Reduce the set respiratory rate.
D) Perform emergency needle decompression.