The goal of PEEP therapy in acute lung injury (ALI) is to

The goal of PEEP therapy in acute lung injury (ALI) is to reduce physiologic shunting, which is the perfusion of blood through unventilated or collapsed alveoli. This results in hypoxemia and impaired gas exchange. PEEP therapy increases the end-expiratory pressure and prevents alveolar collapse, thus improving ventilation and oxygenation. PEEP therapy does not necessarily decrease PAP (pulmonary artery pressure), decrease airway resistance, or increase cardiac output. In fact, PEEP therapy may have adverse effects on these parameters, such as increasing intrathoracic pressure, reducing venous return, and decreasing cardiac output.

References:

AACN. (2023). CCRN (Adult) Exam Handbook. Retrieved from [CCRN Exam Handbook], p. 18.

AACN. (2023). CCRN (Adult) Exam Blueprint. Retrieved from [CCRN Exam Blueprint], p. 2.

AACN. (2020). Practice Alert: Acute Lung Injury/Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome. Retrieved from [Practice Alert], p. 1-2.

Lewis, S. L., Bucher, L., Heitkemper, M. M., Harding, M. M., Kwong, J., & Roberts, D. (2017). Medical-surgical nursing: Assessment and management of clinical problems (11th ed.). St. Louis, MO: Elsevier. Retrieved from [Textbook], p. 1908-1910.