Critical Care Question about Minute Volume (ventilator)

[Nursing2102]

^{EXAMPLE 1: Someone who is on AC 10, 50% FiO2, TV 500. When someone is on a ventilator,}

^{you express their respiratory rate as a fraction. 12/10}

^{MV: 500 x 12= 6,000}

^{__________________________________________________________________________________}

^{EXAMPLE 2: The same person is on SIMV 10, 50% FiO2, TV 500 with 12/10 with spontaneous breath 100.}

^{500x10= 5,000}

^{2 breaths x own breath 100=200}

^{MV: 5200.}

^{Why did she use 12 in the first example and 10 in the second example?}

^Thanks

[akulahawkRN, ADN, RN, EMT-P]

It has to do with the mode (AC vs SIMV).

Both modes use "10" for something. Both modes have "12" as well. The answer, is actually "hidden" within the math and is easy to figure out once you understand those two modes.

[Guttercat, ASN, RN]

Here is a thread with some good observations on AC vs SIMV:

https://allnurses.com/micu-sicu-nursing/c-vs-simv-302585.html