A patient with ARDS is intubated. What ventilator setting is most critical in preventing ventilator-induced lung injury?

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A patient with ARDS is intubated. What ventilator setting is most critical in preventing ventilator-induced lung injury? Answer: Low tidal volume (6 mL/kg IBW)

In patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), the most critical lung-protective ventilator strategy is to use a low tidal volume, generally around 6 mL/kg of predicted body weight. This reduces overdistension of already injured alveoli and helps prevent ventilator-induced lung injury (VILI). Current guidelines recommend tidal volumes in the range of 4–8 mL/kg predicted body weight and maintaining a plateau pressure below 30 cm H₂O.

Question context

This question is part of 🔬 General Science within the broader 🌐 Current Affairs & GK subject and appears in the SPSC – Sindh Public Service Commission preparation collection. Reviewing the answer together with nearby questions helps reinforce the underlying concept and identify how it may appear in competitive exams.