What is a potential negative outcome of adjusting the PEEP level incorrectly?

Adjusting the PEEP (Positive End-Expiratory Pressure) level incorrectly can lead to worsening lung overdistention. PEEP is used in mechanical ventilation to maintain positive pressure in the airways at the end of expiration, which helps to keep the alveoli open and improve oxygenation. However, if the PEEP level is set too high, it can cause excessive pressure in the lungs. This overdistention can lead to barotrauma, where alveoli may rupture, and can also impair hemodynamics by decreasing venous return to the heart.

When PEEP is excessively applied, it can compromise lung function, reduce compliance, and alter ventilation-perfusion ratios, which could worsen respiratory status rather than improving it. Therefore, monitoring and adjusting PEEP carefully is crucial in mechanical ventilation to avoid such complications, as correct application aims to strike a balance between lung protection and adequate oxygenation without causing further harm to lung tissue.