Obstruction / high-resistance pattern
Prolonged expiration and scooped expiratory limb suggest obstructive physiology.
Vent control
Bronchospasm branch
Wheeze, high resistance, prolonged expiration, auto-PEEP risk.
Do
- Treat bronchospasm per local pathway.
- Lengthen expiratory time and avoid breath stacking.
- Reassess peak/plateau and flow-time waveform.
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.
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