Question 1

A 45-year-old alcoholic aspirates and develops ARDS. Initial ventilator settings are: assist/control rate of 12/min, tidal volume of 500mL, FIO2 of 100%, and PEEP of 5 cm H2O. Arterial blood gases are pH = 7.38, PaCO2 = 38 mmHg, and PaO2 = 54 mmHg. The patient is agitated with a temperature of 39.0oC, and an observed respiratory rate of 32. WBC = 15,000 and hemoglobin = 8.2 g/dL. Strategies that could allow for a non-toxic FIO2 include all of the following EXCEPT:

(A) increasing PEEP

(B) treating fever

(C) transfusion

(D) increasing assist/control rate to 20.