A 58-year-old man is evaluated in the intensive care unit on hospital day 3. He was admitted following a severe motor vehicle collision that resulted in a traumatic brain injury and multiple rib fractures. The patient was intubated in the emergency department for airway protection and remains mechanically ventilated. Sedation is being carefully titrated to allow for neurological assessments. His temperature is (), blood pressure is , pulse is , and respirations are (ventilator set rate). Pulse oximetry shows on an of . Physical examination reveals a sedated patient who arouses to deep painful stimuli. Lung auscultation reveals clear breath sounds bilaterally. Laboratory studies show a leukocyte count of . The intensive care unit team is reviewing the patient's care plan to implement standardized measures to prevent hospital-acquired conditions. Which of the following is the most appropriate intervention to reduce this patient's risk of developing ventilator-associated pneumonia?
- Elevation of the head of the bed to 30 to 45 degreesCevap
- BRoutine replacement of the ventilator circuit every 48 hours
- CProphylactic administration of aerosolized antibiotics
- DObtaining daily endotracheal aspirate cultures
- EInitiation of broad-spectrum antibiotics based on the leukocyte count