What is a primary goal of mechanical ventilation?

The primary goal of mechanical ventilation centers on ensuring adequate gas exchange, which includes optimizing oxygen delivery and carbon dioxide removal. Minimizing FiO2 levels can be important in certain contexts; however, the ultimate aim should be to maintain sufficient oxygen saturation levels while avoiding high concentrations of supplemental oxygen that can lead to oxygen toxicity.

In cases where respiratory distress is prevalent, the approach would focus on using the lowest possible FiO2 while still achieving adequate oxygenation, indicating a balance between support and risk. When working with mechanical ventilation, maintaining optimal oxygenation using the lowest FiO2 necessary serves to prevent complications associated with prolonged high oxygen exposure, such as atelectasis or lung injury.

Focusing on minimizing tidal volume, while critical in certain patient settings (like with lung protective strategies), does not represent the primary goal of mechanical ventilation overall, as adequate ventilation often requires appropriately sized tidal volumes tailored to the patient's needs. Similarly, while PEEP (Positive End-Expiratory Pressure) can be adjusted based on patient condition, the elimination of such support does not address the core objectives of ventilation, which are to ensure both oxygenation and carbon dioxide removal.

In summary, while consideration for FiO2 levels is indeed relevant, the overarching goal reflects maintaining adequate