A patient being actively weaned from mechanical ventilation currently is receiving the following ventilatory support: pressure support = 15 cm H₂O,spontaneous Vᴛ = 575 mL,spontaneous rate = 14 breaths/min,spontaneous Vᴛ = 500 mL,FɪO₂ = 35%,PEEP = 5 cm H₂O.The arterial blood gas results are: pH = 7.42,PₐCO₂ = 38 mm Hg,PₐO₂ = 94 mm Hg,SₐO₂ = 98%,HCO₃- = 24 mEq/L.What should the respiratory therapist do next?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

At this point,the ABG results show no acid-base imbalance and no hypoxemia.The parameter that should be reduced is the pressure support.When pressure support is reduced to about 5 cm H₂O,the pressure level is not high enough to contribute significantly to ventilatory support.Once at PS 5 cm H₂O,the patient will be ready for a cuff leak test.

A Patient Being Actively Weaned from Mechanical Ventilation Currently Is