To improve oxygenation for a patient on a ventilator, what is one recommended strategy?

Increasing the fraction of inspired oxygen (FiO2) is a recommended strategy to improve oxygenation for a patient on a ventilator. When patients are experiencing hypoxemia or low oxygen levels in the blood, raising the FiO2 increases the amount of oxygen available for diffusion in the alveoli, thereby enhancing systemic oxygen saturation. This approach directly addresses the objective of improving oxygen delivery to tissues, which is critical when managing patients requiring mechanical ventilation.

The choice to increase FiO2 is based on the principles of respiratory physiology. By elevating the concentration of oxygen in the inhaled gas mixture, you increase the partial pressure of oxygen in the alveoli. This allows for a more effective transfer of oxygen into the bloodstream, which is especially important in compromised respiratory function situations. Care must be taken, though, with prolonged high concentrations of oxygen due to potential oxygen toxicity, but in acute settings, it is often a primary tool to tackle severe hypoxemia.

Addressing the other strategies typically does not directly improve oxygenation. For instance, decreasing PEEP can lead to reduced functional residual capacity and diminished recruitment of collapsed alveoli, which may worsen oxygenation. Reducing inspiratory time can limit the duration the patient has to absorb oxygen, negatively impacting oxygen