Initial Ventilator Settings

Question 1

Initial VT setting

Adult

Answer 1

8 - 12 mL/kg

Question 2

Which pathologies that require low initial VT settings? (Adults)

Answer 2

• Pneumonia
• ARDS
• ALI

Question 3

Initial RR setting

Answer 3

10 breaths/min

8 - 12 breaths/min

Question 4

Initial Vent Mode (Adult)

Answer 4

Any mode is fine.

• Control
• Assist/Control
• SIM/IMV

Question 5

Initial FiO2 & PEEP

No information about prior O2 or patient on room air

Answer 5

FiO2: 40 - 60%

PEEP: 0 - 10 cmH2O
*elevated baseline

Question 6

Initial FiO2 & PEEP

Patient was on oxygen and/or CPAP
*elevated baseline

Answer 6

FiO2: Same O2 prior

and/or

PEEP: Same PEEP prior
*elevated baseline

Question 7

Initial FiO2 & PEEP

An emergency involving lung damage

• CO poisoning
• Pulmonary edema
• Crushed chest

Answer 7

FiO2: 100%

Question 8

Initial Vent Mode (infant)

Answer 8

• Time cycled
  or
• Pressure limited

IMV/SIMV

Question 9

Initial RR setting (infant)

Answer 9

20 - 30 breaths/min

Question 10

Initial PIP setting (infant)

Answer 10

20 - 30 cmH2O

Question 11

Initial FiO2 setting (infant)

Answer 11

40 - 60%

or

Same FiO2

Question 12

Initial PEEP setting (infant)

Answer 12

2 - 4 cmH2O

*Increase by increments of 1 - 2

Question 13

Max PEEP level for infants?

Answer 13

8 cmH2O

Question 14

Initial Flow setting (infant)

Answer 14

5 - 6 L/min

Question 15

Initial I-Time setting (infant)

Answer 15

0.5 - 0.6 sec

Question 16

What lung damage-emergency pathologies require 100% O2?

Answer 16

• CO poisoning
• Pulmonary edema
• Crushed chest

Question 17

How much can PEEP be increased on a ventilated infant?

Answer 17

Increase PEEP increments by 1 - 2