Mechanical Ventilation Flashcards
list abbreviations that are important to know pertaining to ventilation
- PaO2
- MV → minute ventilation
- VC → vital capacity
- FIO2
- RR
- TV → tidal volume
- Intrapleural pressure
- Intra-alveolar pressure
- Transpulmonary pressure
- FRC → functional residual capacity
- Bradypnea/apnea
- Tachypnea
- PaCO2
- Negative/Positive Pressure
- Endotracheal tube
- Barotrauma
- PEEP → positive end expiratory pressure
what is minute ventilation (MV)?
the amount of air breathed per minute
normally = 5-8 L/min
equals TV x # of breaths per min
define VC
vital capacity
the max volume of air that can be expired following max inspiration
normal value 2-5 L
define FIO2
fraction of oxygen in a gas mixture
FIO2 of inspired air is 21%
define transpulmonary pressure
the pressure difference between intrapleural pressure and the intra-alveolar pressure
define FRC
functional residual capacity
the volume of air present in the lungs at the end of passive expiration
at FRC, the opposing elastic recoil forces of the lungs and chest wall are in equilibrium
distinguish between negative and positive pressure
Negative pressure = a pressure of gas less 760
Positive pressure = a pressure of gas greater than 760
define barotrauma
injury to your body because of changes in barometric (air) or water pressure
describe PEEP
a mode of therapy used in conjunction w/mechanical ventilation
- maintains the pt’s airway pressure above the atmospheric level by exerting pressure the opposes passive emptying of the lung
- limits alveolar collapse
when is PEEP effective?
when used in pts with a diffuse lung disease that results in an acute decrease in FRC
applying PEEP increases alveolar pressure and alveolar volume
how do we normally regulate respiratory function?
not known for sure with higher levels of exertion but the following are known factors that play a role:
- change RR
- change TV
- change intrapleural pressure
what is a mechanical ventilator?
a machine that assumes the work of breathing when a person is not able to breath well enough on their own
also called a ventilator, a vent, a respirator, a breathing machine
what are the most common reasons for a mechanical ventilator?
low oxygen levels or severe SOB from an infection such as pneumonia are the most common reasons
T/F: mechanical ventilation is curative
FALSE
the pt should have a correctable underlying problem that can be resolved with the support of mechanical ventilation
List Indications for mechanical ventilation
- Bradypnea or apnea with respiratory arrest
- acute lung injury
- tachypnea (RR >30)
- reduces TV which reduces air in alveoli
- MV greater than 10 L/min (normal is 6L/min)
- VC < 15 ml/kg (normal is 2-5L)
- clinical deterioration
- coma
- neuromuscular disease
- acute PaCO2 greater than 50 mmHg with an arterial pH less than 7.25
- normal PaCO2 = 35-45 mmHg
- normal blood pH = 7.35-7.45
list Types of mechanical ventilation
- Negative-Pressure Mechanical Ventilation
- Positive-Pressure Mechanical Ventilation
describe Negative-Pressure mechanical ventilation
- works by exposing the surface of the thorax to sub-atmospheric pressure during inspiration
- this pressure in turn causes thoracic expansion and decrease in intrapleural and alveolar pressures
- this in turn creates a pressure gradient favoring movement of air from the airway opening through the vascular tree and into alveoli
- “air is sucked into the lungs” much like normal breathing
T/F: negative pressure mechanical ventilation is used commonly
FALSE
- rarely used today
- bulky, cumbersome and poorly tolerated
- not suitable for use in the modern critical care unit
- blood tended to pool in the lower torso → reducing CO
describe Positive-Pressure mechanical ventilation
- airway pressure is applied at the pt’s airway (greater than atmospheric pressure)
- the positive nature of this pressure forces air to flow into and through the respiratory tract to the alveoli
- suspension of the positive pressure causes the elastic recoil of the chest to occur, pushing tidal volume out
- air is pushed into the lungs/alveoli and not “pulled” into the alveoli
how are modes of ventilation defined?
- the mode is one of the principle ventilatory settings
- a set of operating characteristics that control how the ventilator functions
- modes of ventilation describe the pattern of breath delivery to a patient
- a set of ventilator operations with one or more predefined mechanical breath types
list modes of non-invasive positive pressure mechanical pressure
- CPAP
- BiPAP
what is CPAP?
continuous positive airway pressure
- continuously delivers + air pressure created by a tabletop device and delivered through a tube connected to a face mask
- air is delivered at a constant pressure
- the constant + pressure helps to ensure that the airway remains open during exhalation