Cough Reflex Test (CRT) Practice

Adjusting the inspiratory plateau pressure is a critical intervention for enhancing ventilation distribution in a patient with high airway resistance on mechanical ventilation. High airway resistance can lead to difficulties in delivering adequate tidal volumes and cause uneven distribution of ventilation within the lung.

By adjusting the inspiratory plateau pressure, healthcare providers can optimize the pressure applied to the airways during inspiration, ensuring that the ventilator effectively delivers air to all parts of the lungs. This method helps improve the distribution of ventilation by reducing the risk of barotrauma and allowing for more efficient gas exchange in areas of the lung that may not be adequately ventilated due to resistance.

This approach also helps to maintain effective ventilation while avoiding excessive pressure that could compromise the patient’s lung mechanics or cause further injury. In contrast, inflating the endotracheal tube or using sedatives might not directly address the underlying issue of high airway resistance or could potentially worsen the patient's condition. Increasing tidal volume significantly could lead to high pressures and potential trauma rather than optimizing ventilation distribution.