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The high pressure alarm sounds frequently on the ventilator of a 58-year-old patient who is being mechanically ventilated following a major orthopedic surgery. The mandatory rate on the ventilator is 12/min and auscultation reveals bilateral vesicular breath sounds. Current vital signs include: HR 130/min, RR 36/min, blood pressure 125/88 mmHg, Temperature 37.1 degrees Celsius, and SpO2 96%. The patient appears quite agitated. The patient’s respiratory pattern is most likely the result of: 

A sudden increase in end-tidal CO2 occurs in a mechanically ventilated patient. A repeat analysis yields the same results. Which of the following situations might account for these readings? 

A 60-year-old male has just been extubated following coronary artery bypass grafting. His chest X-ray demonstrates platelike infiltrates with scattered densities, and he is noted to have decreased chest expansion with an increased respiratory rate. Which of the following treatments should be recommended for this patient?  

A 44-year-old patient who suffered a cerebral vascular accident has been moved from the Neuro-ICU to the step-down unit. He becomes diaphoretic and his SpO2 suddenly drops from 95% to 88% on a 32% tracheostomy collar. His heart rate is 115/min, RR is 42/min, and his breath sounds are very diminished. The respiratory therapist is unsuccessful in attempting to pass a 12 Fr suction catheter. The respiratory therapist should:

A 42-year-old trauma patient in the ED has been intubated with a 6.5 mm oral endotracheal tube equipped with a high-residual-volume, low-pressure cuff. The respiratory therapist notes that a cuff pressure of 42 cm H2O is necessary to achieve a minimal occluding volume. This would indicate that the: 

A 50 kg (110 lb) patient is mechanically ventilated with the following settings: A/C VC, VT 400 mL, RR 14/min, PEEP 10 cmH2O, and FiO2 of 60%. The chest x-ray demonstrates diffuse bilateral radiopacitiy. ABG results are: pH 7.36, PaCO2 47, PaO2 50, HCO3- 26. The respiratory therapist should increase the:

A patient with a history of asthma presents to the ED in severe respiratory distress with increased accessory muscle use. Vital signs are: HR 110/min, RR 32/min, and SpO2 of 88% on room air. Bilateral expiratory wheezes are heard on auscultation. The respiratory therapist should recommend initiating:

Thirty minutes after extubation, a patient exhibits moderate stridor. Which of the following should the respiratory therapist recommend?

A 75 kg (165 lb) patient with acute lung injury is being mechanically ventilated at the following settings: A/C VC, VT 300 mL, RR 16/min, PEEP 5 cmH2O, and an FiO2 of 50%. The following arterial blood gas results are obtained: pH 7.30, PaCO2 58, PaO2 79, HCO3- 28. The patient’s condition should be described as: 

A patient receiving high frequency oscillatory ventilation (HFOV) demonstrates excess CO2 retention on a recent arterial blood gas. Which of the following could be adjusted to correct this situation?