Respiratory therapist (RT) examining a<unk> ly ventilated patient in an intensive care unit. RTs participate in the optimization of ventilation management, adjustment, and weaning.Mechanical ventilation is indicated when a patient's spontaneous breathing is inadequate to maintain life. It may also be indicated in anticipation of imminent collapse of other physiologic functions, or ineffective gas exchange in the lungs. Because<unk>  serves only to provide assistance for breathing and does not cure a disease, the patient's underlying condition should be identified and treated in order to resolve over time. One of the main reasons why a patient is admitted to an ICU is for delivery of<unk> . Monitoring a patient in<unk>  has many clinical applications: Enhance understanding of pathophysiology, aid with diagnosis, guide patient management, avoid complications, and assess trends. In general,<unk>  is initiated to protect the airway or reduce the work of breathing. Common specific medical indications for<unk>  include: * Surgical procedures * Acute lung injury, including acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), trauma, or COVID-19 * Pneumonia * Pulmonary hemorrhage * Apnea with respiratory arrest * Hypoxemia * Acute severe asthma requiring intubation * Obstruction, such as a tumor * Acid/base derangements such as respiratory acidosis * Neurological diseases such as muscular dystrophy, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), Guillain–Barré syndrome, myasthenia gravis, etc. * Newborn premature infants with neonatal respiratory distress syndrome<unk>  is typically used as a short-term measure. It may be used at home or in a nursing or rehabilitation institution if patients have chronic illnesses that require long-term ventilatory assistance.
Mechanical ventilation
Negative pressure ventilator
Artificial ventilation
Positive airway pressure
Non-invasive ventilation
High-frequency ventilation
Pressure support ventilation
Surfactant therapy