A patient with COPD, who has been receiving mechanical ventilation for 3 weeks, has been weaned down to the following settings:  FIO2   0.30     Mandatory rate 8/min   Mode SIMV   VT(set)  400 mL   VT(spont)  320 mL   PEEP  3 cm H2O   PS  4 cm H2O  On these settings the following laboratory data is observed:  pH   7.36   PaO2  65 mm Hg   PaCO2 70 mm Hg   HCO3-  30 mEq/L   BE   -1 mEq/L  The respiratory therapist should recommend

A pulse oximeter reading is significantly less than oxygen saturation by blood gas. Which of the following could be the cause?

Which of the following would be most beneficial in resolving microatelectasis?

A therapist palpates a popping sensation in the upper chest and neck of a patient with a trachesotomy tube in place. Which of the following is the most likely cause?

Which of the following medications is shown to have sufficient affect when facial muscle twitching is observed?

A 45 year-old patient is recovering in the intensive care unit (ICU) after undergoing a surgical procedure to repair a hernia. The patient remains unconscious. To prevent soft tissue obstruction, the respiratory therapist should recommend a(n)

After making the universal sign of choking, a person collapses. The observer should FIRST

A patient is undergoing a transport of 100 miles in a non-pressurized helicopter. The patient is breathing spontaneously and is receiving oxygen by non-rebreather mask. As the helicopter ascends above 5,000 ft, the patient begins to exhibit cyanosis and shortness of breath. The most likely reason for this is

A 100-kg (220-lb), 6-ft, 2-in (188-cm) adult male is orally intubated with a 7.0-mm endotracheal tube. The therapist reports difficulty removing secretions with the suction pressure set to 120 mm Hg. The respiratory therapist should FIRST

A respiratory therapist is called to the emergency waiting room to offer advice on the cleanup method of liquid oxygen that was ejected from a faulty portable liquid oxygen device. The therapist will instruct which of the following?