Question

Premature infants with respiratory distress are often placed on ventilators. Often, the ventilators are set to provide positive end- expiratory pressure. Why might this setting be useful for a premature infant? (A) Premature infants lack surfactant. (B) Premature infants lack lysozyme. (C) Premature infants cannot thermoregulate. (D) Premature infants are unable to control pH.

Name: Problem 13, Chapter :
Uploaded: 2020-07-08T01:32:36-08:00
Duration: 2 min 17 s
Channel: Dennis Howard
Description: Premature infants with respiratory distress are often placed on ventilators. Often, the ventilators are set to provide positive end- expiratory pressure. Why might this setting be useful for a premature infant? (A) Premature infants lack surfactant. (B) Premature infants lack lysozyme. (C) Premature infants cannot thermoregulate. (D) Premature infants are unable to control pH.

   Premature infants with respiratory distress are often placed on ventilators. Often, the ventilators are set to provide positive end-
expiratory pressure. Why might this setting be useful for a premature infant?
(A) Premature infants lack surfactant.
(B) Premature infants lack lysozyme.
(C) Premature infants cannot thermoregulate.
(D) Premature infants are unable to control pH.

Instant Answer

Solved by Expert Dennis Howard

07/08/2020

Step 1

PEEP is a mode in ventilator settings where a higher than normal pressure is maintained in the lungs at the end of exhalation. This is done to prevent the alveoli (tiny air sacs in the lungs) from collapsing. Show more…

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Premature infants with respiratory distress are often placed on ventilators. Often, the ventilators are set to provide positive end- expiratory pressure. Why might this setting be useful for a premature infant? (A) Premature infants lack surfactant. (B) Premature infants lack lysozyme. (C) Premature infants cannot thermoregulate. (D) Premature infants are unable to control pH.

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Key Concepts

Positive End-Expiratory Pressure (PEEP)

Positive End-Expiratory Pressure is a ventilator setting that maintains a constant pressure in the lungs at the end of exhalation. This helps to keep the alveoli open, improving oxygen exchange and preventing collapse of the small air sacs, which is particularly important in patients with compromised lung function.

Surfactant Deficiency in Premature Infants

Premature infants often lack sufficient surfactant, a substance that reduces surface tension within the alveoli in the lungs. Without adequate surfactant, the alveoli tend to collapse, a condition known as respiratory distress syndrome (RDS). The use of PEEP helps to counteract this problem by keeping the alveoli open and facilitating better gas exchange.

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