Last blog!! =)

Wow, I cannot believe that this is already our last blog!

Anyhow, since I had such an interesting patient two weeks ago and since this blog has to relate to critical care I have decided to talk about his vent settings. I don’t know about anyone else, but I truly enjoyed learning about vents; which is also why I have decided to talk about vents: using the PSV mode to be specific. The pressure support ventilation (PSV) mode is a pressure mode that is commonly used for weaning off the ventilator. When a patient is placed on this vent mode, the patient has the ability to initiate their own breath. When the patient initiates a breath then the vent kicks in and assists them to the point where they achieve the desired pressure level. Not only does the vent help the patient reach a desired pressure level, but it also makes sure that the patient maintains the pressure level throughout the inspiratory phase of breathing. A advantage of this mode is that it decreases the work of breathing in the patient. on the other hand, a disadvantage is that the patient must have an intact respiratory drive.

Morton, P. G., & Fontaine, D.K., (2013). Essentials of critical care nursing: a holistic approach. Philadelphia, PA: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.