What change should be made to the ventilator settings for a patient with respiratory acidosis?

Increasing the respiratory rate in a patient with respiratory acidosis is an appropriate adjustment to ventilator settings. Respiratory acidosis occurs when there is an accumulation of carbon dioxide in the blood, which can result from inadequate ventilation. This condition leads to a decrease in blood pH and can negatively affect organ function.

By increasing the respiratory rate, the ventilator helps to enhance carbon dioxide elimination, thereby assisting in correcting the acid-base imbalance. This adjustment helps to improve ventilation and allows for a more effective exchange of gases, thereby promoting better oxygenation and reducing the levels of carbon dioxide in the bloodstream.

In the context of the other options, decreasing tidal volume would not sufficiently address the underlying issue of inadequate ventilation and might exacerbate the carbon dioxide retention. Adjusting PEEP levels may help with oxygenation but wouldn't directly address the need for increased ventilation to manage respiratory acidosis. Changing to pressure control mode could be beneficial in certain scenarios but does not specifically target the immediate need to increase ventilation in this context. Thus, increasing the respiratory rate is the most direct and effective response to manage respiratory acidosis.