What action should the nurse anticipate following a diagnosis of a right pneumothorax in a patient on mechanical ventilation?

Following a diagnosis of a right pneumothorax in a patient on mechanical ventilation, lowering the positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) is a critical action to anticipate. PEEP is used to increase lung volume and improve oxygenation by keeping the alveoli open at the end of expiration. However, in the context of a pneumothorax, especially if it is significant, applying high levels of PEEP can exacerbate the situation by increasing intrathoracic pressure, potentially causing further lung collapse or impairing hemodynamics. Reducing PEEP can help alleviate these pressures, prevent further lung injury, and allow for better recruitment of functional lung tissue on the affected side.

In contrast to this, decreasing the fraction of inspired oxygen (FIO2) may not be appropriate immediately after a pneumothorax diagnosis, as the patient may already have compromised oxygenation. Increasing tidal volume and respiratory rate could lead to further complications, including barotrauma, which is particularly concerning in the presence of a pneumothorax. Performing endotracheal suctioning more frequently could risk dislodging or worsening the pneumothorax and does not directly address the need to manage airway pressures and intrathoracic dynamics effectively. Thus,