Which is an expected intervention for a patient experiencing severe agitation while on mechanical ventilation?

Administering sedative medication as required is an expected intervention for a patient experiencing severe agitation while on mechanical ventilation because sedation can help alleviate anxiety and distress, facilitating better synchronization between the patient and the ventilator. When patients are mechanically ventilated, they may experience discomfort or feelings of panic due to the inability to breathe independently or the sensation of the ventilator.

Sedative medications work by calming the patient, reducing agitation, and allowing the ventilation to be more effective and comfortable. Proper sedation can lead to improved compliance with the ventilator, reduced effort, and an overall more stable respiratory status.

While adjustments to ventilator settings may be considered in certain contexts, they do not directly address the immediate issue of severe agitation. For instance, increasing tidal volume or changing the ventilator mode could impact the patient's respiration but may not alleviate their discomfort or anxiety. Therefore, administering sedatives is the primary method to manage agitation effectively while ensuring safe mechanical ventilation.