RRT-ACCS key terms

Airway pressure measured during an end-inspiratory pause when airflow is zero. It approximates alveolar pressure and helps estimate the risk of ventilator-induced lung injury.

The highest airway pressure reached during a delivered breath. It reflects resistive and elastic forces, and marked elevation may signal airway obstruction, stiff lungs, or excessive tidal volume.

Plateau pressure minus positive end-expiratory pressure. It represents the cyclic stretch applied to alveoli and is linked to lung injury and mortality in acute respiratory distress syndrome.

Positive alveolar pressure remaining at end-expiration when the lung does not empty fully. It raises work of breathing and can cause barotrauma or impaired venous return.

The change in lung volume divided by the change in pressure under no-flow conditions. It measures how easily the respiratory system distends and falls in conditions such as ARDS or pulmonary edema.

The pressure difference between the airway opening and alveoli divided by airflow. It rises with secretions, bronchospasm, or a small endotracheal tube and increases the work of breathing.

Continuous measurement and waveform display of exhaled carbon dioxide. It confirms tracheal tube placement, monitors ventilation, and can suggest low cardiac output or increased dead space.

Oxygen saturation of blood in the pulmonary artery. It reflects the balance between systemic oxygen delivery and consumption, with low values suggesting inadequate delivery or increased demand.

The volume of oxygen transported to tissues each minute, calculated from cardiac output and arterial oxygen content. It is a key determinant of tissue oxygenation in shock.

The proportion of cardiac output that passes through the lungs without taking part in gas exchange. It causes hypoxemia that responds poorly to supplemental oxygen.

The part of minute ventilation that reaches unperfused alveoli or conducting airways and does not exchange gas. Increased dead space raises the ventilation needed to clear carbon dioxide.

Respiratory rate divided by tidal volume in liters during spontaneous breathing. A value below about 105 predicts a greater likelihood of successful weaning from mechanical ventilation.

The ratio of arterial partial pressure of oxygen to the fraction of inspired oxygen. It grades hypoxemia severity and is used in ARDS classification and ventilator management.

The difference between airway pressure and pleural pressure. It reflects the true distending pressure of the lung and helps clinicians set safer ventilator pressures.

A mismatch between the patient's respiratory effort and the ventilator-delivered breath. It can increase work of breathing, cause discomfort, and prolong mechanical ventilation.

A marker of anaerobic metabolism and tissue hypoperfusion. Rising or persistently elevated levels in critically ill patients suggest inadequate oxygen delivery or impaired clearance.

A ventilator strategy using low tidal volumes, often about 6 mL/kg predicted body weight, with limited plateau pressure to reduce ventilator-induced lung injury, especially in ARDS.

The process of adjusting positive end-expiratory pressure to keep alveoli open while avoiding overdistension. It aims to improve oxygenation and compliance without causing hemodynamic harm.

A brief increase in airway pressure intended to reopen collapsed alveoli. It may improve oxygenation in ARDS but can cause hypotension or barotrauma and is used selectively.

Placing a patient face down to improve oxygenation in severe ARDS. It reduces ventral lung compression and improves ventilation-perfusion matching, and prolonged sessions lower mortality.

A pressure-controlled mode that holds a high airway pressure for a prolonged time and briefly releases to allow expiration. It promotes alveolar recruitment and spontaneous breathing but requires careful monitoring.

A device delivering heated, humidified oxygen at high flow through nasal cannula. It provides modest positive pressure, washes out dead space, and improves comfort in hypoxemic respiratory failure.

Ventilatory support delivered through a mask rather than an artificial airway. It can avoid intubation in selected patients but requires alertness, airway protection, and close monitoring.

A selective pulmonary vasodilator given by inhalation to improve ventilation-perfusion matching. It may transiently improve oxygenation in ARDS but has not consistently improved survival.

A surgically or percutaneously created opening in the anterior neck into the trachea. It provides a stable airway for prolonged ventilation and can improve comfort and weaning.

The pressure exerted by the cuff against the tracheal wall. It is usually kept between 20 and 30 cm H2O to prevent aspiration while avoiding mucosal ischemia.

A system that warms and adds water vapor to inspired gas. It prevents heat and moisture loss, maintains secretions, and reduces the risk of airway obstruction during invasive ventilation.

A technique using a sterile catheter enclosed in a plastic sleeve to remove secretions without disconnecting the ventilator. It helps maintain PEEP and reduces exposure to aerosols.

A period of minimal ventilator support used to assess whether a patient can breathe independently. It predicts extubation success and is often combined with a sedation interruption.

A surveillance definition for worsening oxygenation or ventilator settings after a period of stability in a ventilated patient. It captures complications such as pneumonia, pulmonary edema, or atelectasis.

A set of evidence-based practices such as hand hygiene, head-of-bed elevation, oral care, and sedation interruption. Together they reduce the incidence of ventilator-associated pneumonia.

A primary bloodstream infection occurring in a patient with a central venous catheter that is not related to another infection site. Prevention relies on sterile insertion and daily review of catheter need.

A structured team review of a serious adverse event that identifies underlying system failures. It aims to prevent recurrence by correcting processes rather than blaming individuals.

A safety framework that distinguishes human error from reckless behavior. It encourages reporting and learning while holding people accountable for unsafe choices.

A quality improvement method that tests a change on a small scale through Plan, Do, Study, and Act. It allows rapid learning and adaptation before broader implementation.

Desensitization caused by frequent or false alarms that leads clinicians to ignore or delay responses. It threatens patient safety and is addressed through alarm management and individualized limits.

Starting physical activity and rehabilitation soon after ICU admission, often while still ventilated. It reduces ICU-acquired weakness, delirium, and length of stay when safely applied.

A planned interruption of sedation to assess readiness for lighter sedation or extubation. It is often paired with a spontaneous breathing trial to shorten ventilation.

A structured communication tool covering Situation, Background, Assessment, and Recommendation. It improves handoffs and escalations by giving a clear, concise summary of the patient's condition.