The respiratory therapist is performing a patient-ventilator system check on a patient who was in a motor vehicle accident 2 days earlier.The therapist gathers the following information from the flow sheet: Which condition most likely has produced the changes reflected in these data?

Question

The respiratory therapist is performing a patient-ventilator system check on a patient who was in a motor vehicle accident 2 days earlier.The therapist gathers the following information from the flow sheet:  Which condition most likely has produced the changes reflected in these data?

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The difference between the PIP and P_plateau is consistent throughout the documentation (3 cm H₂O).The P_plateau has increased over the course of the 36 hours,from 18 cm H₂O to 38 cm H₂O.This indicates a decrease in static lung compliance.Causes of this condition include ARDS,pneumonia,pneumothorax,pleural effusions,abdominal distention,and ascites.Bronchospasm,secretion retention,and mucosal edema would increase the transairway pressure (PIP - P_plateau).

The Respiratory Therapist Is Performing a Patient-Ventilator System Check on a Patient