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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.
Vent control
Separate resistance from compliance
Measure plateau pressure during a valid inspiratory hold, then choose the branch.
Peak pressurePressure required to deliver flow through the circuit, tube, airways, and respiratory system.Plateau pressureStatic pressure measured when inspiratory flow is zero.High resistance branchPIP rises while Pplat is near baseline or much less elevated.Low compliance branchPIP and Pplat both rise.Overdistension branchHigh plateau/driving pressure or beaking on the P-V loop.
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