An intubated patient is receiving enteral nutrition. Today s…

An intubated patient is receiving enteral nutrition. Today she has a new onset fever, leukocytosis, and increased sputum production. Chest x-ray demonstrates right lower lobe (RLL) infiltrate. Which of the following interventions is most beneficial to decrease the incidence of this complication?

A 38-year-old, 155 cm, 50 kg, previously health female prese…

A 38-year-old, 155 cm, 50 kg, previously health female presents to the ICU with altered mental status, tachycardia, hypotension, and high fever. She is intubated for airway protection. Her laboratory test results reveal a markedly elevated T3 and T4 level with a decrease in thyroid-stimulating hormone level consistent with thyroid storm. Her arterial blood gas shows a pH of 7.24, PaO2 of 80, PaCO2 of 52, and HCO3 of 22. Her ventilator settings are volume control, tidal volume of 350 mL, respiratory rate of 14, positive end expiratory pressure (PEEP) of 5, FiO2 of 50%. Which of the following is the next appropriate step in management?

A 55-year-old male is admitted to the intensive care unit fo…

A 55-year-old male is admitted to the intensive care unit following an anterior wall STEMI s/p angioplasty with DES placement to the proximal LAD. An intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) was placed in the cath lab in order to decrease afterload. IABP decreases afterload through which of the following?