A pre-hospital clinician notes that their patient who has been ventilated for 20 minutes post-RSI has an EtCO2 reading of 6.5 kPa despite a ventilatio...

Question

A pre-hospital clinician notes that their patient who has been ventilated for 20 minutes post-RSI has an EtCO2 reading of 6.5 kPa despite a ventilation rate of 12 breaths per minute. What adjustment should be made?

Accepted Answer

Increase the ventilation rate to 14-16 breaths per minute to reduce the EtCO2 towards the target of 4.0-4.5 kPa

Answer

No adjustment is needed - this is within the normal range

Answer

Decrease the ventilation rate as the patient is being hyperventilated

Answer

Switch from mechanical ventilation to hand ventilation

Answer

Increase the tidal volume only, keeping the rate the same

uk-dipimc MCQ (SBA): Ventilation Adjustment

A pre-hospital clinician notes that their patient who has been ventilated for 20 minutes post-RSI has an EtCO2 reading of 6.5 kPa despite a ventilation rate of 12 breaths per minute. What adjustment should be made?