Relias Medical Surgical Telemetry RN A Practice Test

During mechanical ventilation, what tidal volume is generally recommended to minimize volutrauma in adults?

About 8 mL/kg About 10 mL/kg About 12 mL/kg About 6 mL/kg PBW

Correct Answer:

About 6 mL/kg PBW

Explanation:

Focusing on lung-protective ventilation, the tidal volume is set to about 6 mL per kilogram of predicted body weight. This sizing keeps the alveoli from overdistending with each breath, reducing volutrauma and ventilator-induced lung injury. Using predicted body weight, rather than actual weight, ensures the volume reflects lung size rather than overall body mass. Higher tidal volumes—around 8, 10, or 12 mL/kg—increase the risk of overinflation and injury. The evidence, notably the ARDSnet trial, supports around 6 mL/kg PBW, with attention to keeping plateau pressures generally at or below 30 cm H2O. If needed, PBW can be estimated from height (men: 50 + 0.91 × (height cm − 152.4); women: 45.5 + 0.91 × (height cm − 152.4)).

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