Final answer:
To enhance a patient's SpO₂, which is currently at 92, the respiratory therapist should evaluate the patient's overall condition and consider adjustments to ventilator settings such as FiO₂ or PEEP, rather than making changes based solely on the SpO₂ value. A clinical assessment and specific patient data, including arterial blood gases, are essential for making informed decisions.
Step-by-step explanation:
To improve the patient's oxygen saturation (SpO₂), which is 92, the respiratory therapist might consider adjusting the ventilator settings to increase the oxygenation of the blood. However, based on the data provided, the correct intervention cannot be determined without additional information about the patient's condition, such as blood gas values, current ventilator settings beyond inspiratory pressure, and the underlying cause of the hypoxemia. Decisions should be made following a thorough clinical assessment and with an understanding of the patient's specific clinical situation.
Generally, interventions could include increasing the fraction of inspired oxygen (FiO₂), increasing the positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) to recruit more alveoli and improve oxygenation, or evaluating the need for adjustments to the tidal volume or respiratory rate based on arterial blood gas results. Reducing the respiratory rate to increase the tidal volume can be considered if the patient is overventilated but may not directly improve oxygenation if the issue is due to shunt or ventilation-perfusion mismatch. Decreasing inspiratory pressure may be indicated if the patient is experiencing ventilator-induced lung injury, but this alone is not typically aimed at directly improving oxygen saturation.