Invasive Mechanical Ventilation

Learning Objectives

1. Demonstrate proficiency in selecting appropriate ventilator modes and settings tailored to pediatric patients' respiratory physiology and clinical presentation.
2. Apply advanced ventilation strategies, such as prone positioning and high-frequency oscillatory ventilation, to manage complex respiratory failure in pediatric patients.
3. Evaluate and troubleshoot ventilator-associated complications, including barotrauma and ventilator-induced lung injury, to optimize patient safety and outcomes.

Pre-Reading Resources

QStream Multiple Choice Questions

A 6-year-old boy with severe pneumonia is admitted to the PICU with respiratory distress. He is started on mechanical ventilation due to worsening hypoxemia. Despite initial improvement, his oxygen saturation begins to decline, and arterial blood gas analysis shows persistent hypoxemia. The patient is currently on volume-controlled ventilation with a TV of 8 mL/kg and a RR of 20 breaths/minute. PEEP is set at 5 cmH2O. Which of the following maneuvers is most appropriate to increase mean airway pressure and improve oxygenation in this patient?

• A. Increase the tidal volume to 10 mL/kg
• B Decrease the respiratory rate to 15 breaths
• C. Increase the PEEP to 8 cm H2O
• D. Switch to pressure-controlled ventilation

Pediatric Critical Care Outline Specifications

Refer to this page for formatting details: