The patient's airway has been secured with an endotracheal tube and breathing is being assisted by a mechanical ventilator due to the inability of the lungs to adequately oxygenate the blood or remove carbon dioxide.
This phrase indicates a severe compromise in respiratory function requiring immediate life-sustaining intervention. It is typically used in situations where the patient cannot breathe effectively on their own.
"Patient presented to the ED in acute respiratory distress and was intubated and mechanically ventilated for respiratory failure."
Documentation of the initiation of mechanical ventilation and the underlying reason.
Common questions about using medical phrases in clinical documentation