A patient being ventilated with APRV has the following settings: P_high=24 cm H₂O;T_high= 5 sec;P_low = 4 cm H₂O;T_low = 1 sec,F_IO₂ = 0.3.The patient's spontaneous respiratory rate is 10 breaths/min.The current arterial blood gas values are: PaO₂ = 91 mm Hg;PaCO₂= 62 mm Hg.What should the respiratory therapist recommend for this patient?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

To decrease the PaCO_2,the P_high/P_low gradient needs to be increased without increasing the P_highabove 35 cm H₂O.Decreasing the P_low to 0 cm H₂O is one way to increase that gradient.Increasing the P_low would decrease the gradient and therefore the V_T.Although raising the P_highwould increase the pressure gradient and therefore the V_T,pressures above 35 cm H₂O increase the risk of overdistention injury.

A Patient Being Ventilated with APRV Has the Following Settings