A 12-year-old boy suffers an enlarging neurogenic tumor in the right posterior mediastinum, as shown in the given lateral view radiograph. This growth causes multiple lesions of the right thoracic sympathetic trunk below the T5 chain ganglion. Which of the following functions is most likely compromised?

What patients are at greatest risk for auto-PEEP?1. Those supported by spontaneous breath modes2. Those with high airway resistance3. Those with high expiratory flow resistance

What is the primary purpose of Automatic Tube Compensation (ATC) in mechanical ventilation?  

Causes of increased airway resistance include: 1. Bronchospasm 2. Airway obstruction 3. Cuff leak 4. Condensation in vent circuit

The respiratory therapist review the ventilator flow sheet for a post-op patient. The vent settings have not changed during the past 24 hours. The peak and plateau pressure were recorded as follows: Time:                                            0700am        0900am         1100am Peak Pressure:                                 28                   33                    47 Plateau Pressure:                             22                   22                    22   What is the problem?

What happens to the inspiratory pressure in PRVC mode if lung compliance decreases?  

What type of waveform pattern does PRVC use?  

Strategies to reduce auto-PEEP in mechanically ventilated patients with obstructive lung disease include which of the following?1. Use high inspiratory flows (60 to 100 L/min).2. Apply extrinsic PEEP.3. Use high VT values of 8-10 mL/kg4. Use high respiratory rates (>25/min).

Hyperventilation should generally be avoided during mechanical ventilatory support. Exceptions to this rule include: 1. Failure of other methods to reduce intracranial pressure. 2.  Trying to calm an agitated patient.  3. Hypokalemia causing cardiac arrhythmias.

The nursing students are making a list of interventions for people who need to limit their intake of sodium. In order to demonstrate understanding of the teaching, what should the students list as the most impactful change for this population?