Try Claude
Content RepurposerTurn any content into posts, scripts, and articles
AI Tools for Respiratory Therapists
AI tools for ventilator management, airway procedures, pulmonary function interpretation, patient education, and staying current on respiratory protocols.
Get started for free
Works in Chat, Cowork and Code
Volume Control (AC)
Fixed tidal volume each breath — guaranteed minute ventilation · risk of over-inflation
SIMV
Synchronized mandatory breaths + spontaneous · used for weaning · higher work of breathing
Pressure Support (PSV)
Patient-triggered support only · most comfortable · requires intact respiratory drive
Weaning Readiness Criteria
FiO2 <0.40 · pH >7.30 · PCO2 <50 · patient alert and cooperative · adequate cough
Mechanical ventilation management and troubleshooting
Manage ventilated patients, adjust settings based on patient response/ABG, troubleshoot alarms, assess readiness to wean.
Patient on mechanical ventilation: volume control, FiO2 0.40, RR 16. ABG: pH 7.50, PCO2 32, PaO2 85. Alarm going off—"high pressure." What's happening?
Compiled ventilator troubleshooting: High pressure alarm = increased resistance or reduced compliance. ABG shows: pH 7.50 = respiratory alkalosis (pH high), PCO2 32 = low CO2 (over-ventilating). Possible causes of high pressure: 1) Patient fighting ventilator (anxiety, agitation), 2) Secretions/mucus plug in airway, 3) Tube kink/obstruction, 4) Decreased lung compliance (edema, pneumonia, ARDS). Management: 1) Assess patient (agitation?), 2) Suction if secretions, 3) Check tube position/kink, 4) Reduce respiratory rate (RR too high causing overventilation), 5) Sedate/analgesia if needed. ABG shows need to lower minute ventilation → reduce RR or tidal volume.
ToolRouter research
ABG Interpretation
pH 7.50 = respiratory alkalosis · PCO2 32 = over-ventilating · PaO2 85 = adequate oxygenation
Probable Causes
Patient-ventilator asynchrony · secretion/mucus plug · tube kink · reduced lung compliance
Immediate Steps
Assess patient agitation → suction → check tube position → verify settings
Ventilator Adjustment
Reduce RR or tidal volume to lower minute ventilation → target pH 7.35–7.45
Arterial blood gas interpretation and acid-base management
Interpret ABG results, identify acid-base disorders, assess respiratory vs. metabolic components, recommend treatment adjustments.
ABG from COPD patient: pH 7.32, PCO2 68, HCO3 32, PaO2 55. How do I interpret this? What type of disorder?
Compiled ABG interpretation: pH 7.32 = acidemia (low pH). PCO2 68 = hypercapnia (high CO2, normal 35-45). HCO3 32 = elevated (normal 22-26). Diagnosis: RESPIRATORY ACIDOSIS with metabolic COMPENSATION. Why: COPD patient cannot eliminate CO2 (lung disease), PCO2rises. Kidneys try to compensate by retaining HCO3. PaO2 55 = severe hypoxemia (critical). Management: improve ventilation (if possible—optimize bronchodilators), supplemental O2 (goal PaO2 >60), consider non-invasive ventilation. If worsening: may need intubation. Key: primary problem is respiratory (CO2 not being eliminated), not metabolic.
ToolRouter research
pH 7.32
Acidemia — below normal 7.35–7.45
Disorder
Respiratory acidosis with metabolic compensation (elevated HCO3 32)
PaO2 55
Severe hypoxemia — critical · supplemental O2 required (goal >60)
Management
Optimize bronchodilators · supplemental O2 · consider NIV if worsening
Pulmonary function testing and interpretation
Perform or assist with pulmonary function tests, interpret results, identify obstructive vs. restrictive patterns, assess severity.
PFT results: FEV1 55% predicted, FVC 70% predicted, FEV1/FVC 0.65. What does this show? Is it obstructive or restrictive?
Compiled pulmonary function interpretation: FEV1/FVC 0.65 = LOW ratio (normal >0.70), indicates OBSTRUCTIVE pattern (airflow limitation). FEV1 55% = moderate obstruction. FVC 70% = relatively preserved (suggests obstruction, not restriction). Diagnosis: COPD or asthma (obstructive disease). Why: in obstruction, patient cannot blow out air as fast (low FEV1), so ratio drops. Restrictive would show: both FEV1 AND FVC low (proportionally), but ratio preserved (normal). Treatment: bronchodilators for obstruction. Severity: mild (80-100%), moderate (50-79%), severe (<50%).
ToolRouter research
Pattern
OBSTRUCTIVE — FEV1/FVC ratio 0.65 (below normal threshold of 0.70)
Severity
Moderate obstruction — FEV1 55% predicted (50–79% range)
Diagnosis
COPD or asthma — patient cannot expel air fast enough, lowering ratio
Treatment Direction
Bronchodilators — short-acting β2 agonist and LAMA for COPD; ICS for asthma
Patient education on inhaler use and respiratory conditions
Teach patients proper inhaler technique, explain respiratory conditions and medications, and provide action plans for exacerbations.
Create a handout for an asthma patient on proper metered-dose inhaler (MDI) technique and what a peak flow meter measures.
Generated 2-page asthma handout: MDI technique step-by-step (shake, exhale fully, place in mouth, coordinate press and inhale, hold breath 10 seconds), common mistakes (pressing too fast, not holding breath, not shaking), spacer use (helps with coordination). Peak flow meter—what it measures (maximum airflow when you blow out hard), normal ranges, how to track trend, warning signs (peak flow drops 20% = exacerbation risk). Asthma action plan—green (doing well), yellow (symptoms, increase use), red (emergency care needed). When to call doctor, when to go to ER. Written for lay audience with photos of proper technique.
ToolRouter repurpose_content
2 pages
Ready-to-use prompts
Ventilation modes
Research different mechanical ventilation modes (AC, SIMV, PSV) and when to use each mode.
ABG interpretation
Research arterial blood gas interpretation and acid-base disorders (respiratory vs. metabolic, compensation).
Pulmonary function
Research pulmonary function test interpretation and distinction between obstructive and restrictive patterns.
Weaning protocols
Research mechanical ventilation weaning protocols, readiness criteria, and strategies to improve weaning success.
Inhaler technique
Create patient education materials on proper inhaler use, technique, and common mistakes to avoid.
COPD management
Research COPD pathophysiology, oxygen therapy targets, and respiratory management strategies.
Tools to power your best work
Deep ResearchAI research reports with citations
165+ tools.
One conversation.
Everything respiratory therapists need from AI, connected to the assistant you already use. No extra apps, no switching tabs.
Ventilator management and patient optimization
Monitor ventilated patient, obtain ABGs, interpret results, adjust settings for optimal gas exchange and patient comfort.
Weaning assessment and patient preparation
Assess readiness to wean from mechanical ventilation, optimize conditions, implement weaning protocol, educate patient.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if a patient is ready to wean from the ventilator?
Readiness criteria: underlying condition improving, oxygen requirements decreasing (FiO2 <0.40), minimal PEEP needed, adequate ABG values (pH >7.30, PCO2 <50), patient alert/cooperative, able to protect airway (cough, gag reflex). When multiple criteria met, begin weaning trial. Failure = patient can't maintain or develops distress—put back on ventilator, rest, and retry later.
What ABG values are concerning and require immediate intervention?
Critical values: pH <7.20 or >7.60 (severe acidemia/alkalemia), PCO2 >80 (severe respiratory acidosis), PaO2 <50 (critical hypoxemia), HCO3 <15 or >35. Any of these = notify provider immediately. pH <7.20 with high PCO2 = respiratory failure, may need intubation.
What should I do if the ventilator alarming continuously?
Troubleshoot systematically: 1) Check patient—is he/she agitated, fighting ventilator? 2) Suction if needed (secretions/mucus), 3) Check ventilator tube—is it kinked or obstructed? 4) Review ventilator settings—are they appropriate for patient? 5) Get ABG if alarm persists. Never ignore continuous alarms—find the cause.
How can I tell if my patient has restrictive vs. obstructive disease?
Key is FEV1/FVC ratio: OBSTRUCTIVE = low ratio (cannot blow out fast), both volumes reduced but ratio preserved. RESTRICTIVE = preserved or high ratio (can blow out what volume is there, but volume is small), both volumes reduced proportionally. PFT patterns guide treatment—different approaches for each.
Give your AI superpowers.
Get started for free
Works in Chat, Cowork and Code