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Ventilator modes cheat sheet
A one-page cheat sheet of the ventilator modes RT board candidates see most, with what is set, what varies, and the exam traps.
| Mode | You set | What varies | Board pearls |
|---|---|---|---|
| Volume control A/C (VC-AC) | VT, rate, flow/I-time, FiO2, PEEP | Pressure (PIP, Pplat) | Every breath, set or triggered, delivers the set VT. Rising PIP with stable Pplat = airway resistance; both rising = compliance problem. |
| Pressure control A/C (PC-AC) | Inspiratory pressure, rate, I-time, FiO2, PEEP | Tidal volume | VT falls if compliance drops or resistance rises, so watch exhaled VT and minute ventilation. |
| SIMV (volume or pressure) | Mandatory rate and breath settings, usually + PS | Spontaneous breath VT | Spontaneous breaths between mandatory breaths are patient-sized unless pressure support is added. |
| Pressure-regulated volume control (PRVC / VC+) | Target VT, rate, I-time | Pressure adjusts breath to breath | Pressure-controlled breath with a volume target. |
| Pressure support (PSV) | PS level, PEEP, FiO2 | VT, rate, I-time | Spontaneous mode only, no backup rate: the patient must have a reliable drive. Often used for weaning and SBTs. |
| CPAP | One pressure level | Everything else | Spontaneous breathing at an elevated baseline; improves oxygenation (FRC), does not add ventilation by itself. |
| APRV | P-high, P-low, T-high, T-low | VT | Long high-pressure phase with brief releases; spontaneous breathing allowed throughout. |
| NIV (BiPAP: IPAP/EPAP) | IPAP, EPAP, backup rate, FiO2 | VT | IPAP − EPAP = pressure support (ventilation, CO2). EPAP mainly helps oxygenation. Strong evidence for COPD exacerbation with hypercapnic acidosis and for cardiogenic pulmonary edema.[4] |
Practice it now. Drill ventilator items with a rationale for every choice. 50 free questions, no account needed.
Practice ventilator items
Practice ventilator items
Fix CO2 vs fix O2
- PaCO2 (ventilation): change minute ventilation: rate or VT (or inspiratory pressure / PS level).
- PaO2 (oxygenation): change FiO2 or PEEP (or mean airway pressure).
Lung-protective ventilation (ARDS)
- VT 4–8 mL/kg predicted body weight and plateau pressure under 30 cm H2O.[2]
- The ARDSNet trial used 6 mL/kg PBW with a plateau limit of 30 cm H2O and showed lower mortality than 12 mL/kg.[3]
- Use our tidal volume by PBW calculator.
Study content only, not clinical advice. Mode names vary by manufacturer; follow your institution's protocols.[1]
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