Principles of mechanical ventilation for non-critical care nurses

Ventilation is the process by which gases move in and out of the lungs (Woodrow, 2019). In critically unwell patients, self-ventilation may become inadequate. Artificial ventilation may be required when self-ventilation is, or is likely to be, inadequate due to respiratory or neurological distress causing loss of consciousness; the use of recreational drugs, sedatives; opioid medications; head injury and neurological disorders.

This article aims to introduce non-critical care nurses to the principles of mechanical ventilation.