Ventilation

Initiation of mechanical ventilation 

Objective of this station is to familiarize with clinical assessment of the patient before initiation of mechanical ventilation.

 Clinical parameters include:

• Level of consciousness and patients ability to cooperate
• Use of accessory muscles of respiration
• Restlessness, anxiety, sweating and posture preferred by the patient
• Presence of cyanosis
• Altered chest wall movements
• Pulse rate and rhythm disturbances
• Oxygen saturation
• Assess for effectiveness of cough reflex and phonation
• Examination of lungs

Note: The decision to initiate mechanical ventilation should be made considering multiple parameters and not a single parameter. Especially normal saturation does not mean ventilation is normal. (Misnomer of most of clinicians).