The respiratory therapist observes the pressure-time scalar seen below.Wave A was generated at 1300 hour and wave B at 1600 hour.The action that is most appropriate for this situation is which of the following?

Question

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When comparing the two waveforms it should be noted that the plateau pressures (P_plateau)are the same for both,15 cm H₂O.However,the peak inspiratory pressure (PIP)is higher in waveform B,35 cm H₂O,as opposed to waveform A,27 mm H₂O.This indicates an increase in transairway pressure (Pᴛᴀ)and therefore,airway resistance.The most appropriate answer is to administer a bronchodilator.If the ET tube was too small the Pᴛᴀ would have been consistently high from the start of mechanical ventilation.Adding PEEP or switching to pressure-controlled continuous mandatory ventilation (PC-CMV)would be appropriate if the P_plateau was increasing.

The Respiratory Therapist Observes the Pressure-Time Scalar Seen Below