The Nurse Is Caring for a Patient Whose Ventilator Settings

The nurse is caring for a patient whose ventilator settings include 15 cm H₂O of positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) .What complication does the nurse assess the patient for?

A) Fluid overload secondary to decreased venous return
B) High cardiac index secondary to more efficient ventricular function
C) Hypoxemia secondary to prolonged positive pressure at expiration
D) Low cardiac output secondary to increased intrathoracic pressure