Critical Care II

Mechanical ventilation fundamentals through weaning: indications, modes, NIV, initiation, monitoring, graphics, patient transport, and ventilator discontinuation.

Lessons

01

Indications, Goals & Hazards of Mechanical Ventilation

Type I (hypoxemic) and Type II (hypercapnic) respiratory failure, V/Q mismatch versus shunt, bedside ventilatory parameters, physiologic measurements, contraindications, goals, and hazards of mechanical ventilation.

02

Ventilator Classification & Modes of Ventilation

Input power, drive mechanisms, control variables (pressure/volume/flow/time), phase variables, breath types, and modes: CMV/A-C, SIMV, CSV/CPAP, PSV, and APRV.

03

Non-Invasive Ventilation (NIV)

NIV indications, contraindications, interfaces (nasal/full-face/total-face/helmet), CPAP vs. BiPAP, S/T mode, AVAPS, initial application procedure, and troubleshooting common side effects.

04

Initiating & Adjusting Ventilatory Support

Mode selection, IBW-based tidal volume calculation, ARDS lung-protective strategy, mechanical and physiologic dead space, PIFR, I-time, I:E ratio, PEEP/FiO₂ management, pressure support, alarms, and ABG-guided adjustments.

05

Monitoring, Ventilator Graphics & Patient Transport

Monitored values (PIP, MAP, Pplat, driving pressure, auto-PEEP, compliance), ventilator check procedure, pressure/flow/volume scalars, P/V and F/V loops, troubleshooting asynchrony and auto-PEEP, intra/inter-hospital transport, and CCATT.

06

Weaning, Discontinuation & Module Exam

VAP prevention and circuit change protocols (AARC guidelines), weaning parameters (RSBI, MIP, oxygenation criteria), SBT methods, SBT failure criteria, terminal weaning, brain death evaluation, and the 50-question module exam.

Resources