Ventilators 101
Terminology
- Peak Inspiratory Pressure (PIP): The highest level of pressure in the lungs during inhalation
- Positive End Expiratory Pressure (PEEP): The amount of pressure in the alveoli at the end
of expiration
- Fraction of inspired oxygen (FiO2): How much oxygen the client is getting, 21-100%
- Tidal volume (TV): The amount of air that is inhaled during one respiratory cycle
- End-Tidal Carbon Dioxide (ETCO2): The partial pressure of CO2 detected at the end of
exhalation
- Room air: The atmospheric air we breathe under normal circumstances (FiO2 of 21%)
Ventilator Modes
- Volume-controlled: There is a certain volume of air delivered to the client with each breath
- Pressure-controlled: The lungs are inflated to a certain pressure
- CPAP - Continuous Positive Airway Pressure: There is continuous positive airway pressure,
while the client controls their respiratory rates and volumes
- BiPAP - Bilevel Positive Airway Pressure: There is positive airway pressure, set at different
pressures for inspiration and expiration
↑ HIGH ↑
Alarms
↓ LOW ↓
Pressure in the circuit is too high
Pressure in the circuit is too low
Causes:
Causes:
Client coughing
Gagging
Bronchospasm
Fighting the ventilator
ETT occlusion
Kink in the tubing
Increased secretions
Thick secretions
Water in ventilator circuit
Tubing is disconnected
Loose connections
Leak
Extubation
Cuffed ETT or trach is deflated
Poorly fitting CPAP/BiPAP mask