A female patient who is 5’7″ tall and weighs 68 kg is being…

A female patient who is 5’7″ tall and weighs 68 kg is being mechanically ventilated with volume-controlled continuous mandatory ventilation (VC-CMV), set rate 12 breaths/min, patient trigger rate 28 breaths/min, VT 500 mL, set flow rate 50 L/min, FiO2 45%, PEEP 5 cmH2O. The patient is currently in distress using accessory muscles of inspiration and the monitor shows HR 115 bpm with SpO2 87%. The respiratory therapist performs a patient-ventilator system check. The most appropriate action for the therapist to take includes which of the following?

A mechanically ventilated female patient with pulmonary edem…

A mechanically ventilated female patient with pulmonary edema has the following blood gas values on 40% O2: pH 7.43, PaCO2 35 mmHg, PaO2 75 mmHg. She is on VC, A/C mode with a rate of 10 breaths/min and is assisting for a total rate of 18 breaths/min. Her peak airway pressure is 50 cmH2O and her plateau pressure is 40 cmH2O. She developed a pneumothorax and had a chest tube inserted. What should be suggested to the physician?