When monitoring a patient on mechanical ventilation, which parameter would indicate an effective tidal volume setting?

An effective tidal volume setting on mechanical ventilation is primarily indicated by consistent arterial blood gas results. This is because arterial blood gases provide critical information about the patient's oxygenation and carbon dioxide removal, which are directly influenced by the tidal volume delivered by the ventilator. If the tidal volume is appropriately set, it should help maintain normal ranges for pH, PaO2, and PaCO2, indicative of effective ventilation and oxygenation.

While stable heart rate is an important parameter for overall patient stability, it does not offer specific information about the adequacy of ventilation. Similarly, patient-ventilator synchrony can be a sign that the ventilator settings are appropriate for the patient's needs; however, it does not directly measure the effectiveness of tidal volume. Minimal respiratory effort indicates that the patient is not struggling to breathe, which can be a positive sign, but it does not specifically indicate that the tidal volume is set correctly.

Thus, consistent arterial blood gas results are the most reliable indicator among the options available, as they encompass both the respiratory and metabolic adequacy of the mechanical ventilation setting.