Which solution is most beneficial for a patient having difficulty clearing thick secretions while on VC A/C ventilation with HME?

For a patient struggling to clear thick secretions while on volume control assist/control (VC A/C) ventilation with a heated moisture exchanger (HME), utilizing a heated humidifier is the most beneficial solution.

Heated humidifiers provide more effective and sustained moisture to the airway compared to HMEs, especially in patients with thick secretions. The increased humidity helps to thin mucus, making it easier for the patient to expectorate and clear secretions. This process can significantly improve airway patency and overall respiratory function, reducing the risk of complications such as airway obstruction or infection caused by retained secretions.

Other options, like applying PEEP (positive end-expiratory pressure), can help improve oxygenation and reduce the work of breathing, but they do not directly address the issue of thick secretions. Likewise, administering normal saline intravenously wouldn't effectively hydrate the airway secretions. Lastly, removing dead space may improve ventilation efficiency, but it doesn't specifically target the problem of thick secretions, thus making the use of a heated humidifier the most appropriate choice in this scenario.