A patient's transairway pressure (P_TA)is rising while the plateau pressure (P_plateau)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 (P_TA).When the P_TA rises,the airway resistance is rising.When plateau pressure (P_plateau)is constant,this means that the static compliance has not changed.In this question the P_TA is rising while the P_plateau remains the same.This is due to an increase in R_aw and can be corrected by administering a bronchodilator and/or suctioning the airways.An increase in P_plateau 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 (PTA)is Rising While the Plateau Pressure

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