7. A hemodynamically stable 40-year-old man with adult respi…
7. A hemodynamically stable 40-year-old man with adult respiratory distress syndrome is being mechanically ventilated with the following settings: Assist control- Tidal volume 500 mL; Respiratory rate 12/min; FiO2 80%; I:E ratio 1:2; PEEP 5 cmH2O. The patient’s arterial blood gas results are: PaO2 50 mmHg, PaCO2 40 mmHg, and pH 7.42. Which of the following changes in ventilator settings is most appropriate?