weaning off ventilator

[sendwich]

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very simple question but i can't find the answer anywhere. when you're trying to see if the patient is ready to get extubated, one of the things i've seen being done is to ask the patient to lift their head. does anyone know why? i can think of 1) asess ability to follow commands (but you can do this in other ways), 2) asess muscle atrophy (?)

thanks

 

[SouthernSurgeon]

very simple question but i can't find the answer anywhere. when you're trying to see if the patient is ready to get extubated, one of the things i've seen being done is to ask the patient to lift their head. does anyone know why? i can think of 1) asess ability to follow commands (but you can do this in other ways), 2) asess muscle atrophy (?)

thanks

It's basically a strength test. If someone is too weak to even elevate their head...probably not going to do well.

 

[ArcGurren]

It's basically a strength test. If someone is too weak to even elevate their head...probably not going to do well.

This. Although there's a lot more factors that are taken into account, and you have to do spontaneous breathing trials (SBTs) in order to assess readiness to be weaned every day (barring any other issues). Other things like RSBI < 100 or so, low peak pressures, etc. are also good markers. Once you've seen it a few times you'll get the hang of it.

 

[respir8]

Having them lift there head is a basic test that the patient can support their own airway. In a nutshell, short of the other various proven and unproven indicators of weaning, a patient must be able to support their own airway, provide adequate ventilation, and have the ability to cough and clear their secretions.

 

[CopaceticOne]

Also, are you talking about a pt from the ICU or OR? In the case of the Post surgical pt, it is a check to see if the paralytics have worn off / been fully reversed.

 

[TooMuchResearch]

Also, are you talking about a pt from the ICU or OR? In the case of the Post surgical pt, it is a check to see if the paralytics have worn off / been fully reversed.

3.5 year old thread. They probably figured out the answer by now.

 

[CopaceticOne]

3.5 year old thread. They probably figured out the answer by now.

Chill, I wasn't the one who necro-bumped it.

 

[Crayola227]

lol

be nice, it was @respir8 's first ever post! and given their username and thread title, not surprising!