If a premature neonate is ventilated at a respiratory rate of 30/minute and an inspiratory time of 0.5 seconds, what is the resulting I:E ratio?

To assess the I:E (inspiratory to expiratory) ratio from the provided ventilation parameters, we first need to understand the components involved: the respiratory rate and the inspiratory time.

In this scenario, the infant is ventilated at a rate of 30 breaths per minute. Since the breathing cycle consists of both inspiration and expiration, we can calculate the total cycle time:

• Total cycle time = (1 minute / respiratory rate) = 60 seconds / 30 breaths = 2 seconds per breath.

Next, we have an inspiratory time of 0.5 seconds. The expiratory time can be derived by subtracting the inspiratory time from the total cycle time:

• Expiratory time = total cycle time - inspiratory time = 2 seconds - 0.5 seconds = 1.5 seconds.

Now we can establish the I:E ratio by comparing inspiratory time to expiratory time:

• I:E ratio = inspiratory time : expiratory time = 0.5 seconds : 1.5 seconds.

To simplify this ratio, divide both sides by 0.5 seconds:

• I:E ratio = 1 : 3.

Thus, the correct answer is the I:E ratio of 1