A postoperative orthopedic patient receiving 36% oxygen by nasal cannula suddenly becomes acutely short of breath and diaphoretic. His SpO₂ falls to 86%, and breath sounds are vesicular on the right and severely diminished on the left. Which condition should the respiratory therapist suspect?

A chronic COPD patient is showing signs of dyspnea breathing room air. Patient’s pulse rate is 115 bpm, respiratory rate of 32 breaths/min and SpO2 85%. What oxygen device is indicated for this patient?

A 22-year-old patient is receiving A/C volume-control ventilation with VT 450 mL, rate 14/min, FiO₂ 0.40, and PEEP 5 cmH₂O. Arterial blood gases show: pH 7.37, PaCO₂ 42 mmHg, PaO₂ 50 mmHg, HCO₃⁻ 23 mEq/L, SaO₂ 80%. Which parameter should be increased to improve oxygenation?

A patient presents with dyspnea and tachycardia. CXR shows a peripheral wedge-shaped infiltrate. What diagnosis should the therapist suspect?

A patient receiving warfarin therapy has a prothrombin time of 30 seconds. This result indicates which of the following?

A patient in the ICU is receiving assist/control volume-control ventilation and is scheduled to undergo bronchoscopy. The respiratory therapist should anticipate all of the following considerations except:

36 hours after intubation, a patient develops a temperature of 99.8°F, a right lower lobe infiltrate, and a WBC count of 14,000/mm³. What should the respiratory therapist recommend?

Which of the following would not be an appropriate intervention for a patient with severely decreased static lung compliance?

Which interventions are appropriate when caring for a client with a personality disorder? (Select all that apply.)

A patient has the following blood gas results:   pH – 7.34 FIO2 – 35% PaCO2 – 40 torr Respiratory rate – 32 breaths/min PaO2 – 75 torr HR – 110 bpm HCO3 – 29 mEq/L BP 145/85 mmHg BE – +4 SpO2 – 91% Hb – 13g/dl PETCO2 – 27 torr   What is the patient’s VD/VT?