All of the following patients are intubated and receiving mechanical ventilation. Which of them is most likely to require slow liberation from mechanical ventilation?

a. A patient who overdosed on diazepam
b. A postoperative patient who had knee surgery
c. A patient with a severe exacerbation of asthma
d. A patient with chest contusions from a motor vehicle crash

ANS: D
A large percentage of patients who need temporary mechanical ventilation do not require a grad-ual withdrawal process. Such patients include those receiving postoperative ventilatory support for recovery from anesthesia, treatment of uncomplicated drug overdose, and exacerbation of asthma. The patient with chest contusions from an accident has a higher risk of developing prob-lems that will require a more gradual weaning process.