Ask a doctor - What is a normal ventilator level?

Q. What is a normal ventilator level?

Doctor Answer is medically reviewed by SecondMedic medical review team.

Answered by Secondmedic Expert

A "normal" ventilator level can vary depending on a few factors, like a person's age, health condition, and the reason they need the ventilator in the first place. Ventilator settings are typically adjusted by healthcare professionals to suit each patient's specific needs.

In general, a ventilator level refers to the amount of support the machine is providing to help a person breathe. This can include the rate at which breaths are delivered, the volume of air delivered with each breath, and the amount of pressure used to push the air into the lungs.

For instance, a typical adult might need around 10 to 20 breaths per minute from the ventilator, with each breath delivering a volume of air between 6 and 8 milliliters per kilogram of body weight. The pressure used to deliver these breaths would also be adjusted based on factors like lung function and airway resistance.

However, what's considered "normal" can vary widely depending on the individual's needs and condition. Someone with severe lung damage might require higher ventilator settings to maintain proper oxygen levels, while someone with less severe respiratory issues might need less support.

Ultimately, the goal of the ventilator is to ensure that the person is getting enough oxygen and removing enough carbon dioxide from their bloodstream to keep their body functioning properly. So, the "normal" ventilator level is whatever level achieves that goal for each specific patient.