Ventilator waveforms

March l Nursing2020CriticalCare l 29 Mechanical ventilation supports patients in many ways, such as decreasing the work of breathing, supporting and improving gas exchange, and recruiting collapsed alveoli. These benefits are often lifesaving, but mechanical ventilation can also cause harm by opening the door for infection, contributing to muscle atrophy and ventilator dependence, contributing to an increased work of breathing, or damaging the fragile lung tissues, leading to development of complications such as pneumothorax or acute respiratory distress syndrome Abstract: Mechanical ventilation supports patients by decreasing the work of breathing, supporting and improving gas exchange, and recruiting collapsed alveoli. However, mechanical ventilation can cause harm by opening the door for infection, contributing to muscle atrophy and ventilator dependence, contributing to an increased work of breathing, or damaging the fragile lung tissues. This article examines how ventilator waveforms can help achieve the delicate balance of providing ventilatory support while avoiding harm in adults and give clues to how well the patient-ventilator system is functioning.