A 41-year-old woman who is 160 cm (5 ft 3 in) tall and weigh…
A 41-year-old woman who is 160 cm (5 ft 3 in) tall and weighs 60 kg (133 lb) is brought to the ED following an auto vs pedestrian accident, PC, SIMV ventilation is initiated. Six days later, ventilator settings are: FIO2 0.40 pH 7.39 Mandatory rate 8 PCO2 41 mm Hg Insp Press 18 cmH2O PO2 86 mm Hg VT 360 mL HCO3- 23 mEq/L PEEP 5 cm H2O BE -2 mEq/L SaO2 (calc) 96% The patient is alert and oriented. She is hemodynamically stable and initiating inspiratory efforts. Which of the following should a respiratory therapist recommend FIRST?