A 57-year-old female with ARDS is being ventilated in the Airway Pressure Release Ventilation (APRV) mode. Ventilator settings are: Time high 4.0 seconds, Time low 1.5 seconds, Pressure high 35 cmH2O, Pressure low 0 cmH2O. The Respiratory Care Practitioner notes the following assessment information: SpO2 86%, expiratory flow tapers to 20% of the PEFR at the end of Time Low. Select the appropriate practitioner response to these assessment findings.

How can a clinician differentiate between a right middle and right lower lobe pneumonia on CXR?

During assessment of the pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (PCWP), it is important that the balloon be inflated for only 15 to 30 seconds when measuring the PCWP or pulmonary artery occlusive pressure (PAOP). The most significant risk of this procedure is __________.

Laboratory analysis of a pleural fluid specimen identifies a large number of leukocytes. Classify the pleural abnormality.

What is the recommended method of oxygen administration during an apnea test for brain death?

You obtain an arterial blood gas analysis and do not ice the sample because you plan to analyze it immediately. However, you are called emergently to another patient’s room and leave the sample on the bed. 40 minutes later, you return to retrieve the sample. If you were to analyze the sample, how would PaCO2 be affected?

Positive pressure ventilation can adversely affect renal function and decrease urine output. This is most likely due to:

A 74-year-old female with COPD is intubated for 48 hours with hypoxemic respiratory failure. Four hours post extubation, her RR is 38 and SpO2 is 79%. Which therapeutic intervention do you recommend next, being mindful of reducing the patient’s chances of developing nosocomial pneumonia?

A patient with severe COPD is intubated for respiratory failure after he has experienced vomiting and diarrhea for four days. The following day, laboratory analysis reveals a reduced serum potassium but a normal anion gap. The patient is breathing comfortably on pressure controlled, continuous mandatory ventilation. Which of the following actions should the respiratory therapist recommend?

15 minutes after weaning INO on a mechanically ventilated patient from 15 ppm to 10 ppm, you note that pulmonary artery pressure has changed from 30/19 to 45/21 mmHg. What action is indicated at this time?