Vent control
High pressure alarm
Do not stop at “high pressure.” Separate resistance from compliance.
Separate resistance from compliancePeak vs plateau decision point.Immediate actionsUnstable patient, tube/circuit, bagging.High resistance patternBronchospasm, mucus, kink, bite, ETT.Auto-PEEP / stackingFlow not back to baseline, hypotension risk.If SpO₂ fallsOpen hypoxia rescue.If BP fallsOpen hypotension rescue.
Clinical review / use limits
Authored by: Airway of the Month education team. Last reviewed: July 2026. Audience: EM learners, faculty, EMS, RT, simulation educators, and airway teams.
This is an educational cognitive-aid scaffold, not a bedside order set. Verify medications, ventilator changes, pediatric dosing, and procedures against local ED, ICU, anesthesia, pharmacy, RT, EMS, and pediatric policies.
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