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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:

What is normal urine output for a 70kg male?

A postoperative abdominal surgery patient has been receiving incentive spirometry every 2 hours. Over the past two days, her inspiratory capacity has progressively declined. Breath sounds at the lung bases are diminished with faint crackles, and a chest radiograph shows plate-like, thin-layered opacities in the lower lobes. Which condition is most likely present?

During post-bronchodilator spirometry, what minimum improvement in FEV₁ is required to confirm reversibility of airway obstruction?

An intubated patient on volume-controlled ventilation develops high-pressure alarms. The patient becomes cyanotic with a heart rate of 46/min, and a suction catheter cannot be passed through the endotracheal tube. Which action should the respiratory therapist take?