Learn what hypotension means, including causes, signs, assessment tips, and why low blood pressure matters in respiratory care.
John Landry, BS, RRT
John Landry is a registered respiratory therapist from Memphis, TN, and has a bachelor’s degree in kinesiology. He enjoys using evidence-based research to help others breathe easier, live healthier, and improve their overall quality of life.
Permissive Hypercapnia During Mechanical Ventilation
Learn how permissive hypercapnia protects the lungs during mechanical ventilation by allowing higher PaCO₂ while monitoring pH and safety.
Pneumothorax Signs, Symptoms, and Clinical Clues
Learn the key signs of a pneumothorax, including assessment findings, ventilator changes, and emergency warning signs.
Partial Pressure of Carbon Dioxide in Arterial Blood (PaCO₂)
Learn about the partial pressure of carbon dioxide in arterial blood (PaCO₂), including normal values, ABG interpretation, and ventilation.
pH Measurement in Blood Gas Analysis and Acid-Base Balance
Learn what pH means, including its normal ABG range, role in acid-base balance, and use in identifying respiratory and metabolic disorders.
Respiratory Alkalosis: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment
Learn respiratory alkalosis causes, symptoms, ABG findings, low PaCO2, compensation, and treatment for hyperventilation.
Respiratory Acidosis: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment
Learn respiratory acidosis causes, ABG findings, CO2 retention, compensation, and treatment for acute and chronic cases.
Metabolic Acidosis: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment
Learn metabolic acidosis causes, ABG findings, low HCO3, anion gap, compensation, and treatment for acid-base disorders.
Metabolic Alkalosis: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment
Learn metabolic alkalosis causes, ABG findings, high HCO3, electrolyte changes, compensation, and treatment options.
Arterial Oxygen Saturation (SaO₂): Clinical Overview
Learn what arterial oxygen saturation (SaO₂) means, how it relates to PaO2 and SpO2, and why it matters for oxygenation.
ABG Interpretation Made Easy: A Step-by-Step Guide
Learn ABG interpretation with a simple guide to pH, PaCO2, HCO3, oxygenation, ventilation, compensation, and acid-base balance.
Arterial Blood Gas (ABG): Analysis and Clinical Concepts
Learn how arterial blood gas (ABG) analysis helps assess oxygenation, ventilation, acid-base balance, normal values, and clinical status.
Positive Expiratory Pressure (PEP) Therapy: Clinical Uses
Learn how PEP therapy helps clear secretions, reduce air trapping, support lung expansion, and improve ventilation in respiratory care.
Postoperative Atelectasis: Causes, Prevention, and Treatment
Learn what causes postoperative atelectasis, how to recognize it, and how lung expansion therapy helps prevent and treat it.
Video Laryngoscopy: Uses and Benefits in Airway Management
Learn how video laryngoscopy improves airway visualization, supports difficult intubation, and helps confirm endotracheal tube placement.
Vibrating Mesh Nebulizer: How It Works and Why It’s Used
Learn how a vibrating mesh nebulizer works, its benefits, limitations, and role in aerosol therapy and mechanical ventilation.
Ventilator Initiation: Overview and Practice Questions (2026)
Learn the essentials of ventilator initiation: modes, settings, and management of patients during mechanical ventilation.
Initial Ventilator Settings for Mechanical Ventilation
Learn how initial ventilator settings are chosen, including mode, tidal volume, rate, FiO₂, PEEP, flow, alarms, and reassessment.
Mean Airway Pressure (MAP): Clinical Uses and Key Concepts
Learn what mean airway pressure (MAP) is, how it affects oxygenation, and why it matters during mechanical ventilation.
Heart Sounds in Bedside Cardiopulmonary Assessment
Learn heart sounds, including S1, S2, S3, S4, murmurs, gallops, abnormal findings, and their role in cardiopulmonary assessment.