Foundations and Adult Health Nursing Study Guide Answers Related

Review Foundations and Adult Health Nursing Study Guide Answers related questions and content

A patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is admitted to the hospital with acute exacerbation and respiratory failure requiring mechanical ventilation. Which of the following ventilator settings is most appropriate for minimizing the risk of ventilator-induced lung injury (VILI) in this patient?

  • A. Low tidal volume and high positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP)
  • B. High tidal volume and low respiratory rate
  • C. Spontaneous breathing mode with pressure support ventilation (PSV)
  • D. Synchronized intermittent mandatory ventilation (SIMV)
Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Patients with COPD are at increased risk for developing ventilator-induced lung injury (VILI) due to their underlying lung pathology. Using a low tidal volume strategy (6-8 ml/kg predicted body weight) has been shown to reduce the risk of VILI in these patients. Additionally, applying high positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) helps to recruit collapsed alveoli, improve oxygenation, and decrease the risk of barotrauma by keeping the alveoli open throughout the respiratory cycle. Therefore, the most appropriate ventilator settings to minimize the risk of VILI in a COPD patient with acute exacerbation and respiratory failure requiring mechanical ventilation would be low tidal volume and high PEEP.