Flashcard 3 - Physiological Adaptation Flashcard Set for the NCLEX-RN Exam

alveolar over-distention

Alveolar over-distention has a number of different causes. High tidal volume, high ventilating pressure, and atelectrauma due to the rapid opening and closing of the alveoli accompanied by low lung volume. It can trigger a variety of complications and can be treated by making an array of adjustments to the ventilator settings as well as extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO).