Marisol, a 34-year-old client, is on mechanical ventilation in the ICU for acute hypoxemic respiratory failure related to ARDS following a severe pancreatitis flare. She is sedated but arouses to voice, and the ventilator is set to deliver low tidal volumes with PEEP of 12 cm H2O. The bedside nurse notes SpO2 88% despite FiO2 of 80%, and the primary health care provider is considering further ventilator adjustments. Which explanation should the nurse give when a family member asks why Marisol's oxygen level remains low despite the ventilator delivering a high percentage of oxygen?
- The alveoli are filled with fluid and collapsed, so oxygen cannot cross into the bloodstream even at high concentrations
- She is not sedated deeply enough and is fighting the ventilator, which lowers her oxygen level
- The ventilator tubing has a leak that is preventing oxygen from reaching her lungs
- Her airway is narrowed by bronchospasm, blocking the flow of oxygen into her lungs