After 12 hours on volume-control ventilation, what should the neonatal/pediatric specialist do if there is an increase in secretion viscosity?

When an increase in secretion viscosity occurs after a patient has been on volume-control ventilation for an extended period, it typically indicates that the airway secretions may be thickening due to insufficient humidity and moisture in the ventilatory support system. Changing to a heated wick humidifier is the correct approach in this scenario.

A heated wick humidifier is effective because it provides optimal humidity levels necessary to keep secretions thin and more manageable. Unlike passive humidifiers, heated wick humidifiers deliver warm, moistened air, which can help prevent the drying of secretions in the airways and improve patient comfort and respiratory function.

The other options, while they might seem relevant, do not address the underlying issue of secretion viscosity in the same effective manner. For instance, while administering a bronchodilator could help with airway dilation, it does not directly target the viscosity of secretions. Frequently suctioning the patient could temporarily clear secretions but does not prevent the continued thickening that arises from inadequate humidification. Administering a mucolytic could help thin secretions but might not be as immediate or reliable as ensuring optimal humidity via appropriate equipment adjustment. Thus, transitioning to a heated wick humidifier is the best option to address the problem effectively.