A patient with COPD, who has been receiving mechanical venti…
A patient with COPD, who has been receiving mechanical ventilation for 3 weeks, has been weaned down to the following settings: FIO2 0.30 Mandatory rate 8/min Mode SIMV VT(set) 400 mL VT(spont) 320 mL PEEP 3 cm H2O PS 4 cm H2O On these settings the following laboratory data is observed: pH 7.36 PaO2 65 mm Hg PaCO2 70 mm Hg HCO3- 30 mEq/L BE -1 mEq/L The respiratory therapist should recommend