When you adjust the pressure drop necessary to trigger a breath ...

[rmenurse]

When you adjust the pressure drop necessary to trigger a breath on a ventilator, what are you ad-justing on the machine?
 
  a. Sensitivity
  b. Pressure limit
  c. Mode setting
  d. Positive end expiratory pressure (PEEP) level

Question 2

When using pressure as the trigger variable, where do you typically set the trigger level?
 
  a. 0.5 to 1.5 cm H2O below the baseline ex-piratory pressure
  b. 0.5 to 1.5 cm H2O above the baseline ex-piratory pressure
  c. 2.0 to 3.5 cm H2O below the baseline ex-piratory pressure
  d. 2.0 to 3.5 cm H2O above the baseline ex-piratory pressure

[Gabe]

Answer to Question 1

ANS: A
Pressure triggering occurs when a patient's inspiratory effort causes a drop in pressure within the breathing circuit. When this pressure drop reaches the pressure sensing mechanism, the ventilator triggers on and begins gas delivery. On most ventilators, you can adjust the pressure drop needed to trigger a breath. The trigger level is often called the sensitivity.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: A
Typically, you set the trigger level 0.5 to 1.5 cm H2O below the baseline expiratory pressure.

[rmenurse]

Thank you

[Gabe]

Happy to help you