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General Ventilator Set-up

Learn how to set up a mechanical ventilator, transition a patient from manual to mechanical ventilation and how to set ventilator alarms.

Released:

September 1, 2012

Audience:

Physicians, Respiratory Therapists

Learning Objectives
  • Identify required ventilator components, accessories, and connections necessary to safely prepare a mechanical ventilator for patient use following intubation

  • Explain the functional purpose of ventilator circuit components, humidification systems, monitoring devices, and alarm settings used during mechanical ventilation

  • Apply correct ventilator setup procedures, including system checks and initial parameter selection, after endotracheal intubation in a clinical or simulated environment

  • Analyze ventilator waveforms, alarm conditions, and end‑tidal CO₂ monitoring to detect airway compromise, circuit leaks, or changes in patient status

  • Evaluate ventilator settings and alarm configurations to ensure safe, effective ventilation and timely response to airway or respiratory deterioration

Author(s)

Nancy (Craig) McGowan, PhD, RN 

Registered Respiratory Therapist, Neonatal/Pediatric Specialist | Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia


Traci Wolbrink, MD, MPH

Co-Director, OPENPediatrics; Co-Director, Center for Educational Excellence and Innovation; Program Director, Pediatric Critical Care Medicine Fellowship; Senior Associate in Critical Care Medicine | Boston Children’s Hospital

Associate Professor of Anaesthesia | Harvard Medical School

Citation

Craig N, Wolbrink TA. General Ventilator Set-up. 9/2012. Online Video. OPENPediatrics. https://learn.openpediatrics.org/learn/course/internal/view/elearning/3025/general-ventilator-set-up.

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