Cough Reflex Test (CRT) Practice

Increasing the oxygen flow is an appropriate action when a respiratory therapist (RT) struggles to maintain a consistent fraction of inspired oxygen (FiO2) in an aerosol tent for a child. This approach helps ensure that the child receives the higher concentration of oxygen needed, especially in situations where the aerosol tent may cause dilution due to ambient air entering. More oxygen flow can counteract the dilution effect, thereby allowing for a more stable FiO2 within the tent.

In scenarios where delivering consistent oxygen levels is challenging, ensuring an adequate flow of supplemental oxygen is crucial for the child's respiratory needs. In this case, sufficient oxygen flow can enhance the effectiveness of the aerosol therapy, providing better support for the patient’s condition.

Adjustments to the flow can significantly impact the overall delivery of therapy, making the decision to increase flow a practical response to maintaining both adequate oxygenation and effective aerosol therapy in young patients.