What is a primary disadvantage of volume-control ventilation?

What is a primary disadvantage of volume-control ventilation?

• A. It can lead to decreased tidal volume
• B. It may result in alveolar over distention
• C. It is not suitable for spontaneous breathing
• D. It requires constant clinician adjustments

Answer: (B)

The primary disadvantage of volume-control ventilation is that it may result in alveolar over distention. In this mode of ventilation, a predetermined tidal volume is delivered to the patient with each breath, regardless of the patient's lung compliance or resistance. If the compliance of the lungs changes (for example, in cases of acute respiratory distress syndrome or other lung pathologies), the ventilator will still deliver the set tidal volume. This can lead to excessive pressures in the alveoli, potentially causing them to over distend, which can lead to barotrauma or volutrauma. This risk is particularly heightened in patients with decreased lung compliance, as the same tidal volume requires higher pressure to achieve delivery, which can adversely affect the lung tissue. Choosing volume-control ventilation necessitates careful management of tidal volumes and pressures to mitigate this risk, underlining the importance of awareness regarding changes in a patient's respiratory mechanics to prevent possible complications.

The primary disadvantage of volume-control ventilation is that it may result in alveolar over distention. In this mode of ventilation, a predetermined tidal volume is delivered to the patient with each breath, regardless of the patient's lung compliance or resistance. If the compliance of the lungs changes (for example, in cases of acute respiratory distress syndrome or other lung pathologies), the ventilator will still deliver the set tidal volume. This can lead to excessive pressures in the alveoli, potentially causing them to over distend, which can lead to barotrauma or volutrauma. This risk is particularly heightened in patients with decreased lung compliance, as the same tidal volume requires higher pressure to achieve delivery, which can adversely affect the lung tissue.

Choosing volume-control ventilation necessitates careful management of tidal volumes and pressures to mitigate this risk, underlining the importance of awareness regarding changes in a patient's respiratory mechanics to prevent possible complications.