Certified Transport Registered Nurse Certification Practice Exam

In Pressure Regulated Volume Control (PRVC), what is an important consideration regarding tidal volume?

1. It must be kept constant at all times

2. It will vary based on patient's inspiratory effort

3. It is determined solely by clinician settings

4. It should always exceed normal requirements

The correct answer is: It will vary based on patient's inspiratory effort

In Pressure Regulated Volume Control (PRVC), the tidal volume is important because it is designed to adapt to the patient's changing respiratory needs. The primary characteristic of PRVC is its ability to provide a set tidal volume while also allowing for variations that reflect the patient's inspiratory effort. When a patient initiates a breath, the ventilator senses this effort and will adjust the pressure delivered to maintain the target tidal volume, ensuring that the patient receives adequate ventilation without imposing a rigid control that might not align with their current lung mechanics. This flexibility in tidal volume delivery is crucial for optimizing patient comfort and effective ventilation, especially in patients with fluctuating lung compliance and resistance. By accommodating the patient's respiratory drive, the ventilator can deliver more or less volume depending on their effort, rather than strictly adhering to a constant volume, which may not be suitable for all patients at all times. In contrast, the other considerations do not accurately reflect the nature of PRVC. It is not designed to keep tidal volume constant under all circumstances, nor is it solely dictated by clinician settings without consideration of patient feedback. Additionally, the ventilator aims to meet the patient's requirements rather than exceed them at all times, which could potentially lead to complications such as overventilation or bar