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Oxygen-induced hypercapnia — SCE Respiratory MCQ

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HardCOPDOxygen-induced hypercapniaSCE Respiratory

A patient with severe ARDS remains hypoxaemic with a Murray score above 3 despite prone lung-protective ventilation and neuromuscular blockade. What escalation should be considered early?

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Correct answer: C — Referral to an extracorporeal membrane oxygenation centre

Potential ECMO candidates should be discussed early with an expert retrieval centre before irreversible injury or prolonged harmful ventilation develops. Referral considers reversibility, severity, duration of ventilation, comorbidity and response to evidence-based conventional rescue measures.

Reference: https://www.brit-thoracic.org.uk/quality-improvement/guidelines/