About This Book
Mechanical ventilation is a complex and dynamic field, and this Open Education Resource (OER) covers a wide range of topics, including the physiology of breathing, indications and contraindications for mechanical ventilation, types of mechanical ventilators, modes of ventilation, patient-ventilator interactions, liberation from mechanical ventilation, and management of complications associated with mechanical ventilation. With contributions from experts in the field and evidence-based information, the purpose of this OER is to serve as a supplementary tool for respiratory therapy students and respiratory therapists new to acute care practice, to enhance their comprehension of mechanical ventilation, as it is a necessary component for entry to practice into the respiratory therapy profession in Canada.
While the fundamentals of mechanical ventilation remain consistent across different age groups and patient populations, the emphasis of this resource is specifically on the ventilation of adult patients.
Topical Overview
This OER provides a foundation of mechanical ventilation concepts and basics. By the end, you will understand the basics of ventilation, settings, ventilation modes, how to initiate ventilator settings and when and why to make changes based on patient status. Topics include:
- What ventilation is and how it affects the lungs.
- Common ventilator modes and basic ventilator settings.
- How to set up a ventilator based on patient demographics and their clinical presentation.
- Blood gas interpretation and how to change the ventilator based on blood gas values.
- Specific pathophysiologies and how they impact ventilator strategies and settings.
- Common misconceptions and inappropriate ventilation strategies.
Accessibility Statement
We are actively committed to increasing the accessibility and usability of the textbooks we produce. Every attempt has been made to make this OER accessible to all learners and is compatible with assistive and adaptive technologies. We have attempted to provide closed captions, alternative text, or multiple formats for on-screen and off-line access.
The web version of this resource has been designed to meet Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.0, level AA. In addition, it follows all guidelines in Appendix A: Checklist for Accessibility of the Accessibility Toolkit – 2nd Edition.
In addition to the web version, additional files are available in a number of file formats including PDF, EPUB (for eReaders), and MOBI (for Kindles).
If you are having problems accessing this resource, please contact us at oer@fanshawec.ca.
Please include the following information:
- The location of the problem by providing a web address or page description
- A description of the problem
- The computer, software, browser, and any assistive technology you are using that can help us diagnose and solve your issue (e.g., Windows 10, Google Chrome (Version 65.0.3325.181), NVDA screen reader)
Feedback
Please share your adoption, and any feedback you have about the book with us at oer@fanshawec.ca
