Respiratory Failure, ARDS and Ventilation · NCLEX Exam

Why is permissive hypercapnia sometimes allowed in acute respiratory failure due to ARDS?

  1. Lower tidal volumes raise CO₂, so moderate hypercapnia is accepted to protect the lungs
  2. It automatically improves cardiac output and perfusion
  3. It reliably prevents all oxygenation problems
  4. Hypercapnia is considered to have no harmful effects
Show answer and explanation

Correct answer: Lower tidal volumes raise CO₂, so moderate hypercapnia is accepted to protect the lungs

Lung-protective ventilation uses lower tidal volumes; to avoid high pressures, moderate hypercapnia (permissive) may be accepted to reduce ventilator‐induced lung injury.

Difficulty: Medium Question 15 of 15

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