Your patient is being weaned using IMV.He appears to be tolerating the wean,but labors during the spontaneous breaths because the endotracheal tube is probably too small.What could be done to overcome this problem?
A)Increase the tidal volume during IMV breaths
B)Add pressure support
C)Increase the flow rate during the IMV breaths
D)Give the patient a mild sedative

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Adding pressure support would assist the patient during spontaneous breaths and overcome the labor caused by the endotracheal tube being too small. Increasing tidal volume during IMV breaths could potentially worsen the labor and put the patient at risk for barotrauma. Increasing the flow rate would only affect the delivery of the IMV breaths, not the spontaneous breaths. Giving a mild sedative would not address the issue with the endotracheal tube size.

Your Patient Is Being Weaned Using IMV