A 45-year-old man on ICU has ARDS. He is on VCV with TV 6 mL/kg IBW. The team notes the ventilator displays inspiratory and expiratory flow-volume loo...

Question

A 45-year-old man on ICU has ARDS. He is on VCV with TV 6 mL/kg IBW. The team notes the ventilator displays inspiratory and expiratory flow-volume loops. The expiratory limb of the flow-volume loop shows a concave (scooped-out) shape. What does this suggest?

Accepted Answer

Expiratory flow limitation - the concave expiratory limb suggests airflow obstruction during exhalation, consistent with bronchospasm, mucus plugging, or dynamic airway compression; this pattern is similar to that seen in obstructive airways disease

Answer

Normal expiratory flow pattern

Answer

The ventilator circuit has a leak

Answer

The ETT is too large

Answer

The FiO2 is too high

uk-fficm MCQ (SBA): Flow-Volume Loop - Obstruction

A 45-year-old man on ICU has ARDS. He is on VCV with TV 6 mL/kg IBW. The team notes the ventilator displays inspiratory and expiratory flow-volume loops. The expiratory limb of the flow-volume loop shows a concave (scooped-out) shape. What does this suggest?