Author Question: Normovolemic patients experience decreases in cardiac output above what level of PEEP? a. 5 cm ... (Read 33 times)

lb_gilbert · **on:** Jul 16, 2018

Normovolemic patients experience decreases in cardiac output above what level of PEEP?

a. 5 cm H2O
b. 8 cm H2O
c. 12 cm H2O
d. 15 cm H2O

Question 2

Which of the following patient conditions is least likely to experience hemodynamic changes with high alveolar pressures during mechanical ventilation?

a. ARDS
b. Emphysema
c. Kyphoscoliosis
d. Third-degree chest wall burns

Mholman93 · **Reply #1 on:** Jul 16, 2018

Answer to Question 1

ANS: D
Decreases in cardiac output can occur in normovolemic patients with levels of PEEP >15 cm H2O.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: A
Patients with stiff lungs (as in ARDS or pulmonary fibrosis) are less likely to experience hemo-dynamic changes with high pressures, because less of the alveolar pressure is transmitted to the intrapleural space. Patients with compliant lungs (as in emphysema) or with stiff, noncompliant chest walls (as in kyphoscoliosis and extensive chest wall burns) are more likely to have higher intrapleural pressures with PPV and experience more pronounced cardiovascular effects.