Question 26.2
Question 26.2
A 56 year old female with septic shock and multiple organ failure is admitted to intensive care. She is endotracheally intubated and ventilated. This is the patient’s pressure-volume loop. What abnormalities does the loop indicate?
College Answer
Reduced compliance / Increased resistance
Discussion
No better, more succinct answer is possible. Look at the inflection point- it is well above 20cm. This patient's lungs require a large amount of pressure before their compliance improves.
Pressure-volume and flow-volume loops are discussed elsewhere.