A patient diagnosed with sepsis who is being mechanically ventilated has a combined minute ventilation of 25 L/min with a PₐCO₂ of 38 mm Hg.The reason for these findings is most likely which of the following?
1)Increased $\dot V $ CO₂
2)Decreased $\dot V $ CO₂
3)Increased VD/Vᴛ
4)Decreased VD/Vᴛ
A) 1 and 3 only
B) 1 and 4 only
C) 2 and 3 only
D) 2 and 4 only

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Metabolic rate and CO₂ are elevated in patients who have fever,burns,multiple trauma,sepsis,hyperthyroidism,muscle tremors or seizures,agitation,and in those patients who have undergone multiple surgical procedures.Regardless of the cause,it is clear that E will be increased and WOB will be elevated.Increasing the ventilator rate will decrease the patient's WOB,but auto-PEEP may occur.If auto-PEEP is a factor,it may be beneficial to add enough pressure support (PS)for the spontaneous breaths to reduce WOB through the ET and circuit.Other options might include switching to PC-CMV and using sedation to reduce the patient's work.

A Patient Diagnosed with Sepsis Who Is Being Mechanically Ventilated V˙\dot V V˙

A Patient Diagnosed with Sepsis Who Is Being Mechanically Ventilated $\dot V$