Kettering Registered Respiratory Practice Exam 2025 – The Complete All-in-One Guide to Exam Success!

When a premature infant's respiratory rate increases after raising CPAP levels, drawing an arterial blood gas sample is the most appropriate action to take. This step allows for an accurate assessment of the infant's current respiratory status and gas exchange. Changes in ventilatory patterns, such as an increased respiratory rate, can indicate that the infant is either experiencing respiratory distress or is not tolerating the increased CPAP level effectively.

By obtaining an arterial blood gas sample, healthcare providers can evaluate important parameters such as pH, carbon dioxide levels, and oxygen levels. This information is crucial for determining if the infant is adequately oxygenated and ventilated, guiding further management decisions.

Other actions such as returning the CPAP level to a previous setting or increasing it further do not directly address the underlying issue and could potentially worsen the infant's condition without proper assessment. Placing the baby in an oxyhood at a specific FIO2 could also be considered later, but it would typically follow a thorough evaluation of the infant's gas exchange status. Thus, obtaining blood gas results first ensures a basis for any interventions that may help stabilize the infant's condition.