For a patient with acute respiratory distress syndrome, which ventilator mode may be beneficial?

For a patient with acute respiratory distress syndrome, which ventilator mode may be beneficial?

• A. SIMV
• B. VC-CMV
• C. PC-CMV with PEEP
• D. Pressure support

Answer: (C)

In the context of managing a patient with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), PC-CMV with PEEP is often considered to be beneficial. This mode combines pressure-controlled continuous mandatory ventilation (PC-CMV) with positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP), which plays a crucial role in improving oxygenation. PC-CMV allows for controlled delivery of breaths at a set pressure, which can help prevent barotrauma and volutrauma associated with higher tidal volumes that can occur in volume-controlled modes. In ARDS, lung compliance is often decreased, and the pressure-controlled mode adjusts to the patient's changing lung mechanics, ensuring that ventilation is effective without causing additional lung injury. The addition of PEEP serves to recruit collapsed or poorly ventilated alveoli, increasing functional residual capacity and improving gas exchange. By preventing alveolar collapse at end-expiration, PEEP can enhance oxygenation while decreasing the work of breathing for the patient. This combination is particularly effective in ARDS management since the condition is characterized by acute inflammation and stiff lungs. Utilizing PC-CMV with PEEP helps in providing adequate ventilation while minimizing the risk of further lung injury, making it a frequently recommended approach in clinical practice for such patients.

In the context of managing a patient with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), PC-CMV with PEEP is often considered to be beneficial. This mode combines pressure-controlled continuous mandatory ventilation (PC-CMV) with positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP), which plays a crucial role in improving oxygenation.

PC-CMV allows for controlled delivery of breaths at a set pressure, which can help prevent barotrauma and volutrauma associated with higher tidal volumes that can occur in volume-controlled modes. In ARDS, lung compliance is often decreased, and the pressure-controlled mode adjusts to the patient's changing lung mechanics, ensuring that ventilation is effective without causing additional lung injury.

The addition of PEEP serves to recruit collapsed or poorly ventilated alveoli, increasing functional residual capacity and improving gas exchange. By preventing alveolar collapse at end-expiration, PEEP can enhance oxygenation while decreasing the work of breathing for the patient.

This combination is particularly effective in ARDS management since the condition is characterized by acute inflammation and stiff lungs. Utilizing PC-CMV with PEEP helps in providing adequate ventilation while minimizing the risk of further lung injury, making it a frequently recommended approach in clinical practice for such patients.