Mechanical Ventilation and Respiratory Support Flashcards
6 cards from real Acute Care Nurse Practitioner practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 6 Mechanical Ventilation and Respiratory Support flashcards as text
What tidal volume is recommended for lung-protective ventilation in ARDS per the ARDSNet protocol?
Answer: 6–8 mL/kg predicted body weight
ARDSNet recommends tidal volumes of 6 mL/kg predicted body weight (PBW) to prevent ventilator-induced lung injury.
A patient on mechanical ventilation has a plateau pressure of 34 cmH₂O. What is the MOST appropriate intervention?
Answer: Decrease tidal volume
Plateau pressure >30 cmH₂O indicates alveolar overdistension; reducing tidal volume is the primary intervention to protect the lungs.
Which PEEP strategy is recommended for patients with moderate-to-severe ARDS (PaO₂/FiO₂ <150)?
Answer: Higher PEEP per ARDS table or titration
Patients with moderate-severe ARDS benefit from higher PEEP (typically ≥12–14 cmH₂O) to recruit alveoli and improve oxygenation.
An ACNP notes increasing peak airway pressures with unchanged plateau pressures in a ventilated patient. What does this indicate?
Answer: Increased airway resistance
Increased peak pressures with stable plateau pressures indicate elevated airway resistance, suggesting bronchospasm or secretion buildup.
Which ventilator mode delivers a set tidal volume regardless of patient effort or airway resistance?
Answer: Volume control ventilation (VCV)
VCV delivers a fixed tidal volume with each breath, with pressure varying based on compliance and resistance.
What is the most common cause of sudden respiratory deterioration (desaturation) in a mechanically ventilated ICU patient?
Answer: ETT displacement or obstruction
ETT displacement (dislodgement, migration, or obstruction) is the most common cause of sudden deterioration and must be ruled out first with the DOPE mnemonic.