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Airway of the MonthReview the case. Understand the airway. Build the skill.
Airway of the MonthReview the case. Understand the airway. Build the skill.
Troubleshooting review
Vent alarms and high pressure
Start broad, then choose the exact alarm or waveform branch.
High pressure alarmPeak/plateau, resistance, compliance.Low volume / disconnectLeak, cuff, circuit, tube position.Auto-PEEP / stackingFlow not back to baseline.Obstruction / high resistanceBronchospasm, secretions, tube/circuit.Dyssynchrony / triggerIneffective trigger, double trigger, timing.Full alarm mapAll alarm patterns.
Evidence and use limits
Last reviewed: 2026-07-23. Designed for: emergency medicine learners, clinicians, EMS, RT, and airway educators.
This is an educational clinical reference, not a bedside order set. Confirm medications, ventilator changes, pediatric dosing, procedures, and escalation decisions against the patient’s physiology, the ventilator in use, and local ED/ICU/anesthesia/pharmacy/RT/EMS/pediatric policy.
Full references · Editorial policy · AARC 2024 ventilator assessment · ATS/ESICM/SCCM lung-protective ventilation · ATS 2024 ARDS update
About this resource
Created by: Kyle Brown MD; Andrew Pirotte, MD; Reba Hodge, MD; Amanda Vanderwerf, PharmD, BCEMP; Morgan Kimball, PharmD, BCEMP; Joshua Mohess
Clinical review: EM faculty Reviewed: local ED, ICU, EMS, anesthesia, pharmacy, and pediatric protocol review recommended before bedside teaching rollout.
Last reviewed: 2026-07-23
Next scheduled review: 2027-01-23
Designed for: EM residents, emergency physicians, EMS clinicians, airway educators, and simulation faculty
Important: Educational resource and clinical-reference guide only; not a bedside order set or substitute for local protocol, medical direction, or clinical judgment.
Website contact: kybrown@kumc.edu