What is considered an acceptable minute ventilation (VE) in L/min?

Minute ventilation (VE) is a critical measurement in assessing a patient's respiratory status and is defined as the total volume of gas entering or leaving the lungs in one minute. In healthy individuals, an acceptable range for minute ventilation typically falls around 5 to 10 liters per minute, depending on several factors including age, sex, body size, and level of physical activity.

When considering an acceptable level, a minute ventilation of less than 10 L/min is often deemed appropriate for a variety of patients, particularly in stable or non-stressed states. This threshold indicates adequate ventilation for most individuals not experiencing respiratory distress or significant metabolic demands. It reflects a balance of oxygen intake and carbon dioxide removal, which is crucial for maintaining proper acid-base balance and overall homeostasis.

The other choices present values that may be too high for some patient populations or could indicate increased metabolic demand or respiratory effort. Therefore, classifying acceptable minute ventilation as less than 10 L/min aligns with the physiological norms for resting individuals and provides a benchmark for monitoring ventilation in the clinical setting.