What is the effect of inappropriate sensitivity settings when using a ventilator?

• A. Increased reliance on the ventilator
• B. Accidental triggering of the ventilator
• C. Both A and B
• D. Decreased tidal volume delivery

Answer: (C)

Inappropriate sensitivity settings on a ventilator can lead to two significant issues. First, if the sensitivity is set too high, patients may unintentionally trigger the ventilator due to their own spontaneous efforts, leading to accidental triggering. This can create a situation where the ventilator is cycling on and off unnecessarily, causing discomfort and potential mechanical complications for the patient.

Second, inappropriate sensitivity can also lead to increased reliance on the ventilator. If the settings do not appropriately detect the patient's effort to initiate breaths or are too difficult for the patient to trigger, the patient may not be able to breathe effectively on their own. This dependence can contribute to respiratory muscle fatigue and hinder the patient’s ability to wean off mechanical ventilation.

Therefore, the impact of inappropriate sensitivity settings can manifest in both excessive triggering of the ventilator and a higher reliance on its support during ventilation, making the combined effect very critical in clinical practice.