An 18-year-old,5'6",125 lb female patient was admitted to the hospital 2 days ago for spinal meningitis.She developed sepsis and suffered hypercapnic respiratory failure.The patient was intubated and placed on volume-controlled continuous mandatory ventilation (VC-CMV),respiratory frequency (f)12 breaths/min,tidal volume (Vᴛ)600 mL,positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP)5 cm H₂O,fractional inspired oxygen (FɪO₂)0.40.Twenty-four hours later,the patient's oxygen requirements have dramatically increased and her lung compliance has dramatically dropped,while her chest X-ray showed development of bilateral fluffy infiltrates.The most appropriate actions to take include which of the following?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

During the acute phase of the disease,adequate ventilation should be provided using a tidal volume (Vᴛ)in the range of 4-6 mL/kg while plateau pressure (Pₚₗₐₜₑₐᵤ)is maintained at <30 cm H₂O with rates of 15-25 breaths/min.For this patient the Vᴛ range should be between 244 and 488 mL with a rate between 15 and 25 breaths/min.Answer "B" fits into this guideline.

An 18-Year-Old,5'6",125 Lb Female Patient Was Admitted to the Hospital