Day 71 - New Settings + Inhaler
Thursday, March 11, 2021 Morning : Since James has been staying 60 on his FIO2 and his CO2 came back at 78, the best thing for James is a few small adjustments. He will be starting Albuterol and Pulmicort today. Albuterol can treat or prevent bronchospasms. Pulmicort works directly in the lungs to make breathing easier by reducing the irritation and swelling of the airways. Both will be taken twice per day until no longer needed. Along with the steroid inhaler and the anti-inflammatory, the doctor made a change to the mode of ventilation to a NAVA setting. This is the best synchronized setting to help James be more comfortable. The PEEP will remain the same at 11, the rest will adjust. Neurally adjusted ventilator assist (NAVA) ventilation utilizes James’ neural respiratory drive to synchronize ventilatory support on a breath-by-breath basis based on his ongoing needs. (Fancy Google Search). Essentially, this means that when James exhales and ...