Certified Respiratory Therapist Practice Exam

What critical feature should be considered when selecting a ventilator for a patient with severe expiratory airway obstruction?

1. Fixed tidal volume and pressure settings

2. Variable flow control and adjustable I:E ratios

3. High-frequency oscillation support

4. Integrated monitoring systems

The correct answer is: Variable flow control and adjustable I:E ratios

When selecting a ventilator for a patient with severe expiratory airway obstruction, the critical feature to consider is variable flow control and adjustable I:E (inspiratory to expiratory) ratios. Patients with conditions like asthma or COPD often experience difficulty with prolonged expiration due to airflow limitation. A ventilator that allows for variable flow control can facilitate better management of expiration, enabling the therapist to adjust the flow rates as needed based on the patient’s specific respiratory mechanics. Adjustable I:E ratios are also significant because they allow healthcare providers to prolong the expiratory phase, thereby preventing air trapping and promoting better gas exchange. This adaptability can enhance patient comfort and improve overall respiratory function. Balancing these ratios can also help in reducing the work of breathing, which is especially important in patients with significant expiratory obstructive disease. In contrast, options like fixed tidal volume and pressure settings do not provide the necessary flexibility to address the unique demands of these patients. High-frequency oscillation support is generally used in very specific clinical scenarios, such as in patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome, rather than in routine management of obstructive pulmonary diseases. Integrated monitoring systems, while beneficial for tracking patient parameters, do not directly address the mechanical adjustments needed for optimizing ventilation in cases of severe expiratory