A patient's transairway pressure (Pᴛᴀ)is rising while the plateau pressure (Pₚₗₐₜₑₐᵤ)remains unchanged.The treatment plan that could correct this problem includes which of the following?
1)Administer a bronchodilator.
2)Insert a chest tube.
3)Measure unintended positive end-expiratory pressure (auto-PEEP).
4)Suction airway secretions.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Airway resistance can be estimated for a ventilated patient using transairway pressure (Pᴛᴀ).When the Pᴛᴀ rises,the airway resistance is rising.When plateau pressure (Pₚₗₐₜₑₐᵤ)is constant,this means that the static compliance has not changed.In this question the Pᴛᴀ is rising while the Pₚₗₐₜₑₐᵤ remains the same.This is due to an increase in Rₐᴡ and can be corrected by administering a bronchodilator and/or suctioning the airways.An increase in Pₚₗₐₜₑₐᵤ could occur from a pneumothorax,which would require the insertion of a chest tube and also from dynamic hyperinflation,which can be measured as unintended positive end-expiratory pressure (auto-PEEP).

A Patient's Transairway Pressure (Pᴛᴀ)is Rising While the Plateau Pressure