Key Ventilator Numbers: Alarms, Modes, Settings, and Monitoring

Introduction

• Overview of ventilator components and humor about common misconceptions.

Alarms

Low Pressure Alarm (Low Tidal Volume Alarm)

• Associated with loss of connection resulting in an air leak.
• Causes:
  • Cuff leak
  • ET tube displacement
  • Disconnection of tubes

High Pressure Alarm (High Peak Pressure Alarm)

• Associated with blockage in airway flow.
• Causes:
  • Biting the tube
  • Kinks in the tube
  • Excessive airway secretions (mucus plug)
  • Coughing
  • Patient fighting the ventilator (typically when waking up)
  • Pulmonary edema
  • Pneumothorax

Modes

Assist Control (AC)

• Full machine control over the patient's respiratory rate (100% machine control).
• Typically used after CPR or in long-term care clients on life support.
• Acronym trick: AC - Actively Controls breathing.

Synchronized Intermittent Mandatory Ventilation (SIMV)

• Weaning mode; mainly patient controls breathing, the machine assists.
• Used to gradually step down ventilation support.
• Acronym trick: S for SIMV - Step down support.

Settings

Tidal Volume (VT or V4)

• Volume of air delivered with each breath.
• Normal range: 500 to 800 mL.
• Memory trick: Tidal wave of air.

Frequency of Respirations (f or fRR)

• Number of breaths per minute.
• Normal range: 12 to 20 breaths per minute.
• Memory trick: fRR - Frequency of Respirations.

Oxygen Concentration (FiO2)

• Percentage of oxygen delivered.
• Normal range: 35% to 100%.
• Memory trick: FiO2 - Fe me O2.

Positive End-Expiratory Pressure (PEEP)

• Keeps alveoli open with positive pressure at the end of expiration.
• Main function: Improves gas exchange, crucial for conditions like ARDS.
• Risk: Barotrauma leading to pneumothorax.
• Memory trick: PEEP pushes open the alveoli.

Pressure Support (PS)

• Assists with spontaneous breathing by pushing air.
• Memory trick: PS - Spontaneous breath support.

Monitoring

Minute Ventilation (VE)

• Amount of air delivered per minute.
• Memory trick: VE - Ventilations Every minute.

Peak Inspiratory Pressure (PIP)

• Maximum pressure during inspiration.
• Memory trick: PIP – Tip of max pressure.

Plateau Pressure (Pplat)

• Pressure applied to hold open the small airways and alveoli before expiration.
• Indicates lung compliance (e.g., ARDS).
• Memory trick: Pplat – Paused lung to hold open air sacs.

Conclusion

• Reminder to take the quiz and download study guides.
• Encouragement to subscribe and thanks to video creators.