Certified Transport Registered Nurse Certification Practice Exam

If a patient is hypoxic, what should be increased first?

1. Respiratory rate

2. Ventilator settings

3. FiO2

4. PEEP

The correct answer is: FiO2

When a patient is hypoxic, the immediate goal is to improve oxygenation. Increasing the fraction of inspired oxygen (FiO2) is often the first and most direct step to achieve this. By providing a higher concentration of oxygen, you can quickly elevate the oxygen levels in the patient's blood. This approach is critical because it addresses hypoxia rapidly and can be implemented easily in both non-invasive and invasive ventilation settings. Enhancing FiO2 is typically the most straightforward intervention in emergencies, as it does not require significant changes to the respiratory mechanics and can provide a quick assessment of the patient's response to treatment. While adjusting the respiratory rate, ventilator settings, or PEEP can also contribute to improved oxygenation over the long term or in specific scenarios, these interventions may not offer immediate benefit as swiftly as increasing FiO2. In many cases, these options can be considered after ensuring that the patient is receiving adequate oxygen first.