A 17 year-old female who weighs 50 kg (110 lb) is admitted t…
A 17 year-old female who weighs 50 kg (110 lb) is admitted to the surgical intensive care unit following open laparotomy and repair of the liver laceration sustained during a fall. The patient is intubated and recieving volume-controlled mechanical ventilation. The following data are available:Mode SIMVFIO2 0.50Mandatory rate 12Total rate 28Tidal volume 450 mlPEEP 5 cm H2OPressure support 6 cm H2OInspiratory flow 30 L/minFlow pattern square waveSpO2 97%The patient is hemodynamically stable and afebrile. The respiratory therapist notes intercostal retractions and paradoxical chest-abdominal motion during inspiration. The therapist should do which of the following to improve ventilator synchrony?
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