What action should the nurse take if the plateau pressures in a patient on mechanical ventilation for acute TBI are rising above 30 cm H₂O?
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Correct answer: Notify the provider to adjust ventilation strategy to limit lung injury
Plateau pressures above ~30 cm H2O reflect reduced lung compliance and raise the risk of ventilator-associated lung injury, which can worsen outcomes in acute TBI. The nurse should notify the provider so the ventilation strategy can be adjusted.
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