Which ventilator adjustment is appropriate when encountering increased peak inspiratory pressure?

Switching from volume control to pressure control is an appropriate adjustment when encountering increased peak inspiratory pressure. In volume control mode, the ventilator delivers a set tidal volume, which can lead to an increase in pressure if there is increased resistance or decreased compliance in the patient's lungs. By switching to pressure control, the ventilator will limit the pressure during inspiration while still allowing for varying tidal volumes based on the patient's lung mechanics. This helps prevent barotrauma and ensures that the patient is not subjected to excessively high pressures that could cause injury to the lungs.

Other adjustments, such as increasing the mandatory rate or adjusting PEEP settings, do not directly address the issue of increased peak inspiratory pressure. Increasing the mandatory rate would likely result in the same problematic pressures during mechanical inspiration, and adjusting PEEP could either exacerbate or alleviate the issue depending on the situation. Reducing tidal volume may help decrease the peak pressure somewhat, but it could also lead to inadequate ventilation if not carefully monitored. Therefore, switching to pressure control is a more effective and direct approach to managing increased peak inspiratory pressures.