Certified Transport Registered Nurse Certification Practice Exam

What is the main feature of Synchronized Intermittent Mandatory Ventilation (SIMV) compared to other modes?

1. It delivers only mandatory breaths

2. It synchronizes mandatory breaths with patient effort

3. It does not adapt to patient breathing patterns

4. It prevents any triggered breath from occurring

The correct answer is: It synchronizes mandatory breaths with patient effort

Synchronized Intermittent Mandatory Ventilation (SIMV) is characterized primarily by its ability to synchronize mandatory breaths with the patient's efforts. This means that the ventilator not only provides a set number of mandatory breaths at a specified rate but also monitors the patient's respiratory efforts and allows them to take additional breaths between these mandatory ones. This synchronization is crucial because it supports the patient's own breathing initiative, encouraging a more natural and comfortable respiratory pattern while still ensuring adequate ventilation. By allowing the patient to breathe spontaneously at their own pace in addition to receiving the needed mandatory breaths, SIMV helps in maintaining muscle strength and reduces the risk of complications associated with prolonged mechanical ventilation. The other modes of ventilation may either focus solely on providing controlled breaths or may not accommodate the patient's natural breathing efforts, which can lead to issues such as respiratory muscle atrophy. In contrast, the design of SIMV directly aims to balance the necessary support and the patient's own respiratory drive.