Mechanically Ventilated Patients: A Case Study

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In the United States, each year an estimated five million people will require medical treatment in an intensive care unit (ICU), and of these nearly 36% will require assisted ventilation during that stay (Khan, et al., 2014). In an effort to keep the patient calm analgesics and sedatives are administered continuously, which can lead to excessive use of medications. A balance must be maintained to prevent excessive sedation leading to coma verses inadequate sedation causing agitation and delirium. Sedation vacations have become increasingly common in the critical care setting. Mechanically ventilated patients receiving analgesics get daily interruptions from sedation to evaluate spontaneous breathing and opportunity for weaning. These quality

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