Blog

A 22-year-old patient is receiving A/C volume-control ventilation with VT 450 mL, rate 14/min, FiO₂ 0.40, and PEEP 5 cmH₂O. Arterial blood gases show: pH 7.37, PaCO₂ 42 mmHg, PaO₂ 50 mmHg, HCO₃⁻ 23 mEq/L, SaO₂ 80%. Which parameter should be increased to improve oxygenation?

A postoperative abdominal surgery patient has been receiving intermittent positive-pressure breathing therapy four times daily. Over the past several days, her inspiratory capacity has progressively decreased and she reports increasing shortness of breath. A chest radiograph shows a left lower lobe opacity with a concave upper border. Which condition is most likely present?

A patient in the emergency department is breathing room air. ABG results are: pH 7.23, PaCO₂ 22 mmHg, PaO₂ 93mmHg, HCO₃⁻ 11 mEq/L, SaO₂ 96%, BE –14. Which intervention should the respiratory therapist recommend?

Which of the following is not an indicator of an appropriate level of PEEP therapy?

A 72-year-old male (60 kg) is receiving assist/control volume-control ventilation with VT 500 mL, rate 14/min, PEEP 8 cmH₂O, and FiO₂ 0.60. Breath sounds are diminished at the lung bases. Arterial blood gases are: pH 7.41, PaCO₂ 39 mmHg, PaO₂ 80 mmHg, SaO₂ 96%. Which action should the respiratory therapist take?

An asymptomatic patient breathing room air has the following arterial blood gas results: pH 7.49, PaCO₂ 12 mmHg, PaO₂ 145 mmHg. The patient exhibits normal breath sounds and no signs of respiratory distress. Which conclusion is most appropriate?

A hematoma begins to form at the right radial artery site immediately after an arterial blood gas sample is drawn. What should the respiratory therapist do first?

A patient rescued from a building fire arrives unconscious. Which intervention will best improve oxygenation?

Airway resistance (Raw) of 2.4 cmH2O/L/sec is measured for a patient receiving mechanical ventilation. The respiratory therapist should suspect that the patient may have

The nurse is caring for a child who refuses to attend school, complains of frequent stomachaches, and becomes distressed when away from their parent. These symptoms most likely indicate: