Critical Care Nursing Cardiac Questions Related

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A patient is being mechanically ventilated in the synchronized intermittent mandatory ventilation mode at a rate of 4 breaths/min. Spontaneous re spirations are 12 breaths/min. The patient receives a dose of morphine sulfate, and now respi rations decrease to 4 breaths/min. What adjustments may need to be made to the patient’s ve ntilator settings?

  • A. Add positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP).
  • B. Add pressure support.
  • C. Change to assist/control ventilation at a rate of 4 breathabsi/rmb.cionm. /test
  • D. Increase the synchronized intermittent mandatory ventilation respiratory rate.
Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: Change to assist/control ventilation at a rate of 4 breaths/min. When the patient's spontaneous respirations decrease to match the ventilator rate, it indicates that the patient is not actively participating in breathing. Changing to assist/control ventilation allows the patient to trigger breaths when they desire, ensuring a more synchronized and comfortable breathing pattern.

A: Adding PEEP may help improve oxygenation but is not directly related to the issue of decreased spontaneous respirations.
B: Adding pressure support provides additional support during inspiration but does not address the underlying issue of decreased spontaneous respirations.
D: Increasing the SIMV respiratory rate would not address the patient's decreased spontaneous respirations and could potentially lead to overventilation.