A patient receiving pressure controlled–continuous mandatory ventilation (PC-CMV) has initial arterial blood gas (ABG) findings as follows: PaO2 of 101 mm Hg, partial pressure of carbon di-oxide in the arteries (PaCO2) of 60 mm Hg, and pH of 7.30

The respiratory therapist should:
a. increase minute ventilation to this patient.
b. decrease pressure setting.
c. change the ventilation mode.
d. increase the minute ventilation to this pa-tient very gradually over the next several days.

ANS: A
The kidneys normally can compensate for respiratory acidosis within 18-36 hours. Obviously, it is desirable for the problem to be corrected by increasing alveolar ventilation rather than waiting for renal compensation. Increasing ventilation can be accomplished by increasing the VT or manda-tory rate.