Discuss how positive pressure ventilation and the settings of IPAP and EPAP both influence work of breathing and oxygenation, considering the implications to the patient’s respiratory function if these settings are incorrectly applied.

Day 9 post admission Natalie has developed a respiratory nosocomial-acquired infection which

has caused type 1 respiratory failure. A MET call was issued for signs of respiratory distress and

hypoxaemia, and non-invasive ventilation bi-level positive airway pressure (BiPAP) was

commenced, with IPAP 12cmH20 and EPAP 6cmH20, FiO2 0.6.

Within 15 minutes of NIV therapy, there is an increase in SpO2 from 88% (on FiO2 0.6) to 91%,

and BP drop from 112/65mmHg to 94/50mmHg.

 

Question 5: (approx. 250 words)

Discuss how positive pressure ventilation and the settings of IPAP and EPAP both influence

work of breathing and oxygenation, considering the implications to the patient’s respiratory

function if these settings are incorrectly applied.