Vent settings

Overview of Mechanical Ventilatory Support and Management

http://www.aacn.org/WD/CETests/Media/C31132.pdf

And for the visual learner:

Breathing 02: Vent Settings Explained - YouTube

Fantastic You Tube video. Thanks, Lady!

Since every ventilator is different with some manufactured in other countries, my advice for you is to download the manual to the ventilator you are using. Then you will have some idea about the terms they use for various modes. If not, it will get very confusing with the mandatory, control and spontaneous modes.

I would also avoid the YouTube link mentioned in this post. His understanding of ventilators is lacking in a big way especially when trying to explain the modes. He also misses on the flow and the volume settings. He is still confused.

Breathing 02: Vent Settings Explained - YouTube

The AACN link is good and not too outdated.

Important to remember for charting: Tidal Volume (Vt) is expressed in ml and not cc.

My favorite resource is a living, breathing RT! Very interactive. Fast download. And unlike any online or print resource, has a vested interest in you REALLY understanding the information! :)

My favorite resource is a living, breathing RT! Very interactive. Fast download. And unlike any online or print resource, has a vested interest in you REALLY understanding the information! :)

That would be ideal if you can find one.

Since every ventilator is different with some manufactured in other countries my advice for you is to download the manual to the ventilator you are using. [/quote']

I actually forgot to add THIS...

Esme's link is a REALLY good resource so OP make sure you check that website out.

As far as the YouTube video; if you can find a more accurate link in there; it would still be beneficial for a visual learner to see the theory and practicum and be visually prepared.

As far as the YouTube; if you can find a more accurate link in there; it would still be beneficial for a visual learner to see the theory and practicum and be visually prepared.

Just glancing at YouTube there are more videos which are offered by the vent companies and colleges. The one posted is really not a good educational one. He draws pictures but the info and terminology is outdated, misleading and just wrong in some places.

I again recommend looking at the manufacturers for education. Sometimes you can even get CEs for viewing.

Draeger has a good site.

Dräger Academy – Basics of Respiration and Ventilation

Philips is also a good site especially for NIV.

Course Catalog: Philips Hospital Respiratory Care

Coviden (Puritain Bennet) is another.

Continuing Education | Covidien Center for Clinical Excellence | Covidien RMS

You can also access the webcasts for RTs at AARC. Most are free.

AARC Webcast Central - Past Programs

The ATS and colleges are also good sources. Just remember the names of the modes might be different for your ventilator.

Dana Oakes' books are now online.

RespiratoryUpdate.com

Just stay away from shoddy YouTube stuff which can give you a lot of misinformation. This is where some get notions like "only SIMV allows for spontaneous breathing" or "x ml/kg is the only way to ventilate" without discussing anything about the respiratory disease.

One more for extra free nursing CEs. The speaking valve including a nice video for placement with ventilator patients.

Continuing Education | www.passy-muir.com

Much appreciated TraumaSurfer.

I found this article particularly helpful when I started in ICU: http://lane.stanford.edu/portals/cvicu/HCP_Respiratory-Pulmoanry_Tab_2/Care_of_A_Vented_Patient.pdf Hope this helps!

Good resources! Thank you all!

One thing that I think I may be confused about is CMV vs. SIMV. It's my understanding that in CMV, the ventilator gives a fixed number of breaths with a fixed Vt and ignores any spontaneous breaths from the patient. Whereas in SIMV, the ventilator will support spontaneous breaths and ensure that they achieve the set Vt. Is this correct? Also, would this mean that in CMV a patient may be taking more breaths than the set rate, just not necessarily with the same Vt? And lastly, can you give pressure support in CMV mode?

Thanks again!