A patient being ventilated mechanically develops respiratory alkalosis. The high-pressure alarm has sounded frequently for this patient. The nurse knows this is a common problem in patients with which ventilator settings?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

A patient in assist-control mode may develop respiratory alkalosis due to excessive hyperventilation as a result of the machine taking over the patient's breathing completely. The frequent sounding of the high-pressure alarm indicates that the patient is likely being ventilated at a rate that is too high, leading to excessive minute ventilation and subsequent respiratory alkalosis. SIMV mode with a set rate that is too low may result in inadequate ventilation, pressure-support mode may result in respiratory acidosis if the support level is too low, and pressure-control mode does not inherently increase the risk of respiratory alkalosis.

A Patient Being Ventilated Mechanically Develops Respiratory Alkalosis