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FIGURE 3-1.
The crashing ventilated patient algorithm. The steps are discussed in more detail in the main text. For the differential
diagnosis in difficult-to-ventilate patients, see Table 3-2.
Rush of air,
improvement
Step 2: Hand ventilate Check settings and ventilator. Step 3: Check gas exchange.
with 100% oxygen.
Look for unequal chest rise Improvement
Listen for air leakb and
unequal breath sounds
-LLSMVYKPMJ\S[`[V Step 4: Check respiratory mechanics.
ventilate and crepitus Step 5: Observe waveforms.
No improvement
a
For auto-PEEP, see Table 3-1.
b
For air leak, see Figure 3-2.
c
For needle decompression, see Key Point, page 20.