A patient is receiving ventilation with volume-controlled continuous mandatory ventilation (VC-CMV).During a patient-ventilator system check the respiratory therapist sees the flow-volume loop below.The most appropriate action is to do which of the following?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The flow-volume loop shown in this question reflects increasing airway resistance.The expiratory flow part of the loop shows the scooped-out appearance.This is typical of a patient with airway obstruction.Administration of a bronchodilator will help to relieve some of the airway obstruction due to bronchospasm.Since the problem is obstructive and not restrictive,adding positive-end-expiratory pressure (PEEP)or switching to pressure-controlled continuous mandatory ventilation (PC-CMV)will not address the issue.The flow-volume loop shows no leak in the system.

A Patient Is Receiving Ventilation with Volume-Controlled Continuous Mandatory Ventilation