A 70-year-old male with chronic hypoxic and hypercapnic resp…
A 70-year-old male with chronic hypoxic and hypercapnic respiratory failure secondary to COPD is intubated for COPD exacerbation for the last 3 days. The patient has been on pressure support for 2 hours and the blood gas shows pH 7.35/pCO2 80 mmHg/pO2 60 mmHg/CO2 35 mmol/L. The patient is awake and following commands. His endotracheal secretions are moderate, and his cough reflex is weak. His RSBI is 85. What is the next step?