Leak / cuff pattern
Low exhaled volume may reflect cuff leak, circuit leak, or partial extubation.
Vent control
Cuff leak branch
Low exhaled VT with audible leak or poor seal.
Check
- Pilot balloon/cuff inflation and cuff pressure.
- Audible leak at mouth/neck/trach site.
- Tube size, cuff rupture, tube migration, or cuff above cords.
Clinical review / use limits
Authored by: Airway of the Month education team. Last reviewed: July 2026. Audience: EM learners, faculty, EMS, RT, simulation educators, and airway teams.
This is an educational cognitive-aid scaffold, not a bedside order set. Verify medications, ventilator changes, pediatric dosing, and procedures against local ED, ICU, anesthesia, pharmacy, RT, EMS, and pediatric policies.
Resources · Editorial policy · ACEP intubation policy · ARDS ventilation reference