7.0 Chapter Overview

Overview

Mechanical ventilation is supportive therapy in patients with respiratory failure, a life-saving intervention that provides respiratory support to patients who are unable to maintain adequate oxygenation and ventilation on their own or with other supportive therapies including supplemental oxygen. By understanding the indications for mechanical ventilation in respiratory failure, respiratory therapists can accurately assess patients, make informed decisions, and provide appropriate care.

In this chapter, we will discuss why and when mechanical ventilation is needed, as well as assessment criteria to determine this need. We will explore supplemental oxygen requirements and its impact on the body. The content of this chapter briefly describes causes of respiratory failure in the context of mechanical ventilation requirements, but it is not meant to replace a detailed pathophysiology textbook or resource

Application

Understanding how mechanical ventilation works will equip us as respiratory therapists to protect the lung from unwanted damage. We will also learn the basics of selecting appropriate oxygenation for a ventilated patient.

Here are some key reasons why understanding the indications of mechanical ventilation is important:

Patient Safety: Identifying the appropriate indications for mechanical ventilation ensures that patients who require respiratory support receive it promptly. It helps prevent delays in initiating mechanical ventilation, which can be detrimental to patients with severe respiratory failure.

Optimal Ventilation and Oxygenation: Respiratory failure can result in inadequate oxygenation and ventilation, leading to organ dysfunction and life-threatening conditions. Understanding the indications for mechanical ventilation allows us, as respiratory therapists, to provide the appropriate level of support to optimize gas exchange and maintain adequate oxygenation.

Proper Patient Selection: Not all patients with respiratory failure require immediate mechanical ventilation. Understanding the indications helps respiratory therapists differentiate between patients who may benefit from non-invasive ventilation, supplemental oxygen, or other respiratory interventions, and those who require invasive mechanical ventilation.

Monitoring and Assessment: Respiratory therapists play a crucial role in monitoring patients on mechanical ventilation. Understanding the indications helps them assess the patient’s response to therapy, make necessary adjustments, and detect potential complications associated with mechanical ventilation.

Collaborative Decision Making: Respiratory therapists work as part of a multidisciplinary team, including physicians, nurses, and other healthcare professionals. Understanding the indications for mechanical ventilation allows them to actively contribute to discussions and collaborate effectively in making decisions regarding the initiation, management, and weaning of mechanical ventilation.

Optimizing Patient Outcomes: Proper use of mechanical ventilation based on appropriate indications can improve patient outcomes, including reduced morbidity, mortality, and complications associated with respiratory failure.

“Chapter 2 | Oxygenation and the Fundamentals of Mechanical Ventilation” from Basic Principles of Mechanical Ventilation by Melody Bishop, © Sault College is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License, except where otherwise noted.