The respiratory therapist is evaluating the following ventilator flow sheet.The recommendation that is most appropriate in this situation is which of the following?
$\begin{array} { | l | l | l | l | l | l | }
\hline \text { Time } & \begin{array} { l }
\text { PIP } ( \mathrm { cm } \
\left. \mathrm { H } _ { \mathbf { 2 } } \mathrm { O } \right)
\end{array} & \begin{array} { l }
\mathrm { P } _ { \text {platm } } ( \mathrm { Mm } \
\left. \mathrm { H } _ { \mathbf { 2 } } \mathrm { O } \right)
\end{array} & \begin{array} { l }
\mathrm { PEEP } _ { \mathbf { E } } ( \mathrm { m } \
\left. \mathrm { H } _ { \mathbf { 2 } } \mathrm { O } \right)
\end{array} & \begin{array} { l }
\text { Exhaled } \mathbf { V } _ { \mathrm { T } } \
( \mathrm { mL } )
\end{array} & \begin{array} { l }
\text { Flow rate } \
( \mathrm { L } / \mathrm { min } )
\end{array} \
\hline 0800 & 35 & 30 & 5 & 1000 & 60 \
\hline 1000 & 39 & 34 & 5 & 1000 & 60 \
\hline 1100 & 45 & 39 & 5 & 1000 & 60 \
\hline 1130 & 50 & 44 & 5 & 1000 & 60 \
\hline
\end{array}$

Question

The respiratory therapist is evaluating the following ventilator flow sheet.The recommendation that is most appropriate in this situation is which of the following?
$\begin{array} { | l | l | l | l | l | l | } 
\hline \text { Time } & \begin{array} { l } 
\text { PIP } ( \mathrm { cm } \
\left. \mathrm { H } _ { \mathbf { 2 } } \mathrm { O } \right)
\end{array} & \begin{array} { l } 
\mathrm { P } _ { \text {platm } } ( \mathrm { Mm } \
\left. \mathrm { H } _ { \mathbf { 2 } } \mathrm { O } \right)
\end{array} & \begin{array} { l } 
\mathrm { PEEP } _ { \mathbf { E } } ( \mathrm { m } \
\left. \mathrm { H } _ { \mathbf { 2 } } \mathrm { O } \right)
\end{array} & \begin{array} { l } 
\text { Exhaled } \mathbf { V } _ { \mathrm { T } } \
( \mathrm { mL } )
\end{array} & \begin{array} { l } 
\text { Flow rate } \
( \mathrm { L } / \mathrm { min } )
\end{array} \
\hline 0800 & 35 & 30 & 5 & 1000 & 60 \
\hline 1000 & 39 & 34 & 5 & 1000 & 60 \
\hline 1100 & 45 & 39 & 5 & 1000 & 60 \
\hline 1130 & 50 & 44 & 5 & 1000 & 60 \
\hline
\end{array}$

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

What is demonstrated here is that there is an increase in the plateau pressure (Pₚₗₐₜₑₐᵤ)and this reflects a decreasing lung compliance or stiffening of the lungs.Adding extrinsic positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEPE)to this patient could result in a decrease in the Pₚₗₐₜₑₐᵤ.Since the transairway pressure (Pᴛᴀ)has remained stable over the 3.5 hours,there is no increase in airway resistance and no need to suction the airway,switch out the heat moisture exchanger (HME),or administer a bronchodilator.

The Respiratory Therapist Is Evaluating the Following Ventilator Flow Sheet