Respiratory care
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Breathing discomfort (dyspnea) during mechanical ventilation in the ICU may contribute to patient distress and complicate care. Assessment of nonverbal cues may allow caregivers to estimate patient breathing discomfort. This study assesses the accuracy of those caregiver estimates. ⋯ Significant breathing discomfort is prevalent in mechanically ventilated ICU patients and is underestimated by caregivers, regardless of profession. The increasing disparity in caregiver estimate as breathing discomfort rises may expose patients to levels of dyspnea that promote anxiety and fear. This study demonstrates the need for further development and standardization of methods to assess dyspnea in nonverbal patients.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study
Comparing the Effects of Two Different Levels of Hyperoxygenation on Gas Exchange During Open Endotracheal Suctioning: A Randomized Crossover Study.
Endotracheal suctioning is required for mechanically ventilated patients to maintain a patent airway. Studies show that open endotracheal suctioning affects respiratory mechanics and gas exchange. The aim of this study was to compare the effectiveness of hyperoxygenation with FIO2 + 0.20 above baseline and hyperoxygenation with FIO2 1.0 in preventing hypoxemia, and to determine the impact of open endotracheal suctioning on the pulmonary ventilation of critical subjects receiving mechanical ventilatory support. ⋯ In mechanically ventilated adult subjects, hyperoxygenation with FIO2 + 0.20 above baseline prevents hypoxemia. Also, transient changes in pulmonary ventilation with open circuit suctioning were confirmed by volumetric capnography analysis. (Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02440919).