Certified Medical-Surgical Registered Nurse Practice Test

A patient with ARDS is intubated and placed on mechanical ventilation. His Pao2 is 60 mm Hg on 1.0 Fio2. To improve his Pao2 without raising the Fio2, the patient will most likely be placed on:

1. Time-cycled ventilation

2. Volume-cycled ventilation

3. Pressure support

4. PEEP

The correct answer is: PEEP

PPV can be used to improve oxygenation in patients with ARDS. This stands for positive end-expiratory pressure and is commonly referred to as PEEP. PEEP prevents alveolar collapse, allowing for better gas exchange and a higher Pao2. Option A, time-cycled ventilation, refers to a specific mode of mechanical ventilation that is not necessarily used to improve oxygenation. Option B, volume-cycled ventilation, is a type of volume-targeted ventilation that is not specifically used to improve oxygenation. Option C, pressure support, is often used to help with inspiratory effort but does not directly affect oxygenation. Therefore, the correct answer is option D, PEEP, as it is the best choice for improving Pao2 without increasing Fio2.