An RT is called to the emergency department on New Year 's Eve to assist in the treatment of a 5-year-old child pulled from under the ice of a local pond.When the child arrives, he has been intubated and has a weak, irregularly irregular pulse of 55 beats/min, no spontaneous respiratory effort, and a body temperature of 30ᵒ C.The normal practice in this hospital is to use heat-moisture exchangers (HMEs) for all mechanically ventilated patients.Which of the following should the therapist suggest for the ventilator setup?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

This patient is clearly hypothermic; therefore, along with other warming measures, heated, humidified air will significantly aid in raising the patient's body temperature. Normally, ventilator settings for these patients require lower minute ventilation than usual. An increased rate and tidal volume would result in increased minute ventilation, whereas an increased inspiratory flow rate would result in an elevated peak inspiratory pressure.

An RT Is Called to the Emergency Department on New