A patient receiving short-term mechanical ventilation has an HME that has clogged twice with thick secretions. What should the respiratory therapist do?

Using heated humidification is the appropriate response in this situation due to the patient's persistent thick secretions causing the heat and moisture exchanger (HME) to clog. HMEs are designed to add a certain level of humidity to the inspired gas but may not provide sufficient moisture when secretions are thick or when patients are on mechanical ventilation for an extended period.

Heated humidification effectively delivers a higher moisture content and enhances airway humidification, which can help prevent secretions from becoming thick and subsequently clogging the HME. This approach also helps to maintain airway patency and improve patient comfort during mechanical ventilation.

While using a bubble humidifier or installing a new HME may seem like viable options, they do not address the underlying issue of inadequate humidity being delivered to the patient. Discontinuing the use of the HME might lead to reduced humidification, which is not ideal for a patient who is already having issues with secretions. Thus, switching to heated humidification is the most suitable option in this scenario.