ABSTRACT
Intensive care units developed from respiratory units. Providing mechanical ventilation, and so caring for ventilated patients, is fundamental to intensive care nursing. Nurses should have a safe working knowledge of whichever machines and modes they use – manufacturers’ literature and company repre - sentatives are usually good sources for information. This chapter discusses the main components of ventilation, more commonly used modes, and identifies complication of positive pressure ventilation on other body systems. Table 4.1 lists commonly used abbreviations and terms, but terminology of modes varies
F U N D A M E N T A L A S P E C T S
between manufacturers and authors. Additional ventilatory options are discussed in Chapter 28. Negative pressure ventilation is rarely used in ICUs, so is not discussed in this book. Oxygen toxicity is discussed in Chapter 18.
