Question

In which of the following patients who require positive pressure ventilation to maintain oxygenation status would it be most important to ensure you do not deliver high airway pressures?

A) Patient with pneumonia
B) Patient with tension pneumothorax
C) Patient with emphysema
D) Patient with asthma

Answer 1

It is most important to avoid high airway pressures during positive pressure ventilation in a patient with tension pneumothorax due to the risk of exacerbating the condition and potential lung and cardiovascular collapse.

Step-by-step explanation:

In the case of patients who require positive pressure ventilation to maintain oxygenation status, it is most important to ensure you do not deliver high airway pressures to a patient with tension pneumothorax. A tension pneumothorax is a life-threatening condition in which air becomes trapped in the pleural space, leading to increasing pressure on the lungs and chest wall. High airway pressures during positive pressure ventilation could exacerbate the pneumothorax by forcing more air into the pleural space, potentially leading to lung collapse and cardiovascular collapse due to impeded venous return and decreased cardiac output. In contrast, while caution is always necessary, patients with pneumonia, emphysema, or asthma may better tolerate positive pressure ventilation, although individual patient circumstances must always guide clinical decisions.