What action should a respiratory therapist take if a patient is not exhaling completely before the next inhalation cycle during IPPB treatment?

During Intermittent Positive Pressure Breathing (IPPB) therapy, if a patient is not exhaling completely before the next inhalation cycle, adjusting the sensitivity setting is a key factor in improving ventilation efficiency.

When a patient has difficulty exhaling completely, it is often a result of too much sensitivity, which means the device may trigger the next breath too early. Decreasing the sensitivity level would require the patient to exert more effort to initiate inhalation, allowing for a more complete exhalation cycle. This modification helps ensure that the lungs can empty adequately before another breath is taken, promoting better gas exchange and preventing air trapping.

The other options either may increase the likelihood of incomplete exhalation or do not address the timing of breath cycles effectively. Therefore, adjusting the sensitivity is crucial in optimizing the IPPB therapy for effective patient breathing and lung function.