RRT Practice Test 1-7-13 Questions And Answers With Rationale: A+ Grade

RRT Practice Test 1-7-13 Questions And Answers With Rationale: A+ Grade A respiratory therapist reviews the ventilator flow sheet for a patient who is receiving VC ventilation. The ventilator settings have not been changed. The plateau and peak pressures are recorded below: 8PM PLAT 30cmH2O, PIP 35cmH2O 11PM PLAT 44cmH2O PIP 50cmH2O Which of the following is indicated by this information? A. The patient is ready to be weaned from the ventilator. B. Water is accumulating in the patient circuit. C. Airways resistance is increasing. D. Lung compliance is decreasing. - Correct Answer EXPLANATIONS: (u) A. Peak and plateau pressures do not indicate readiness to wean. (u) B. Water in the tubing increases airways resistance. There is no effect on lung compliance. (u) C. The plateau pressure does not increase when airways resistance increases. (c) D. A decrease in lung compliance occurs over time when the patient experiences atelectasis, pneumonia, pulmonary fibrosis, pulmonary edema, and ARDS. The rise in both plateau and peak pressures indicates a decrease in lung compliance.