Mechanical Ventilation And Respiratory Support Practice Test

A 68-year-old man with a history of severe COPD is brought to the emergency department with a 3-day history of worsening shortness of breath and productive cough. He is using his accessory muscles to breathe. Initial vital signs are temperature 37.8°C (100.0°F), heart rate 125/min, respiratory rate 34/min, and blood pressure 140/90 mmHg. Oxygen saturation is 86% on 6 L/min nasal cannula. He is started on noninvasive positive pressure ventilation (NPPV). After 2 hours, he becomes increasingly somnolent and difficult to arouse. Repeat arterial blood gas analysis shows pH 7.18, PaCO2 88 mmHg, and PaO2 65 mmHg.

A 62-year-old man with sepsis develops acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). He is intubated and placed on mechanical ventilation. His ideal body weight is calculated to be 70 kg.