Which intervention would most directly reduce peak inspiratory pressure caused by increased airway resistance?

• A. Administer bronchodilator
• B. Increase PEEP
• C. Decrease tidal volume
• D. Increase inspiratory flow rate

Answer: (A)

When airway resistance rises, the ventilator must generate more pressure to push air through narrowed airways, so peak inspiratory pressure goes up. A bronchodilator directly reduces that resistance by relaxing airway smooth muscle, opening the airways, and letting air flow more easily. This lowers the pressure the ventilator needs to deliver the breath, making it the most direct and effective way to reduce peak inspiratory pressure in this situation.

Increasing PEEP adds pressure throughout the breath cycle and can raise peak pressures; decreasing tidal volume lowers overall delivered pressure but doesn’t address the resistance itself; increasing inspiratory flow rate can actually raise pressures further by driving air more forcefully through narrowed airways.