A 72-year-old male patient who is 5′ 10″ tall and weighs 75…
A 72-year-old male patient who is 5′ 10″ tall and weighs 75 kg (165 lb) receives mechanical ventilation. The respiratory therapist notes diminished breath sounds in the bases of the lungs. The patient is on the following ventilator settings: Mode A/C VC VT 600 mL Set rate 10/min PEEP 10 FiO2 0.50 Arterial blood gases show: pH 7.42 PaCO2 38 PaO2 82 SaO2 97% Based on this information, the respiratory therapist should: