When using a ventilator, what effect does increasing PEEP have on a patient?

Increasing Positive End-Expiratory Pressure (PEEP) primarily improves oxygenation by recruiting collapsed alveoli within the lungs. PEEP maintains a certain level of pressure in the airways at the end of expiration, which helps to prevent the complete collapse of alveoli. This recruitment increases the surface area available for gas exchange, leading to improved oxygenation.

In the context of ventilatory management, PEEP can enhance ventilation-perfusion matching, which is critical in patients with conditions such as acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) or pneumonia. By keeping more alveoli open, the patient can utilize a greater portion of their lung volume for gas exchange, thereby enhancing oxygen saturation and reducing the work of breathing.

While the other options may pertain to aspects of ventilatory management, they do not accurately reflect the primary effect of increasing PEEP. For instance, while higher PEEP can influence tidal volumes, it does not directly increase tidal volume delivery; rather, it may affect the dynamics of ventilation and lung compliance. Additionally, while PEEP may have hemodynamic effects, particularly in patients with compromised cardiac performance, stabilization of hemodynamic status is not its primary intended effect. Therefore, the recruitment of collapsed alveoli for improved oxygenation stands out as