Neonatal Nurse Practitioner Practice Exam

In ventilation settings, what indicates the need to increase iTime?

1. Decreasing CO2

2. Increasing O2

3. Decreasing FiO2

4. Increased heart rate

The correct answer is: Increasing O2

Increasing the inspiratory time (iTime) is crucial in situations where the patient is experiencing low oxygen levels. This adjustment allows for a longer duration of inhalation, which enhances the amount of oxygen delivered to the lungs and subsequently improves oxygenation in the bloodstream. When oxygen levels are increasing, it indicates that the current ventilatory support may not be sufficient to meet the patient’s needs, particularly if there are signs of acute respiratory distress or inadequate oxygenation. By extending the inspiratory time, you provide more time for diffusion of oxygen into the blood, which can be critical when addressing hypoxemia. Other factors like carbon dioxide levels or heart rate changes may not provide a direct or immediate rationale for adjusting inspiratory time in the same context of optimizing oxygen delivery. An increase in CO2 could indicate inadequate ventilation, which might require different adjustments such as changing the respiratory rate or tidal volume rather than the inspiratory time specifically. In addition, a decreased FiO2 would typically suggest that the patient is improving in terms of oxygenation without the need for extended iTime. Therefore, focusing on improving oxygenation through increased iTime becomes a key action when there is an indication of increasing oxygen demand or inadequate oxygen supply, demonstrating the relevance of that option