Grade 1 View – Ep. 22 – The Fundamentals of Mechanical Ventilation

Today we’re diving into one of the most fundamental tools you’ll encounter in clinical practice: the ventilator. Mechanical ventilation can seem intimidating at first, but understanding how it works is essential for keeping your patients safe and for making adjustments in real time.

We’ve invited Richard Wilson, DNAP, CRNA, FAANA of Ursuline College to the show to help us understand the fundamentals of mechanical ventilation. He shares insights on how ventilation and oxygenation are key goals in anesthesia, and walks through how understanding the different modes of ventilation—volume control, pressure control, SIMV, and more—can help CRNAs tailor their care.

Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode:

🧑‍⚕️ Volume vs. pressure control – Learn how volume and pressure modes differ and when to use each.

🩺 Ventilation basics – Oxygenation and CO2 removal are the primary goals in anesthesia ventilation.

💨 Ideal body weight – Use this for accurate tidal volume calculations to avoid lung injury.

🧪 SIMV mode – How to integrate pressure support for more precise control in mechanical ventilation.

 

About our guest: https://www.ursuline.edu/academics/nurse-anesthesia-faculty

 

Apply to be on the Grade 1 View Season Two (2026) Host Team!

Applications due November 1, 2025. Applicants must be current CRNA students/residents with a minimum of 12 months remaining in their program.

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/g1v-host-application

 

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