152: "Don't Touch That Button!" Respiratory Wisdom, Myth Busting, and Everything Respiratory Therapists Wish Nurses Knew About Ventilation With Guest, Melody Bishop RT

Some of the most common respiratory myths are still showing up at the bedside. But it's not your fault — most of us were never taught what an oxygenation problem versus a ventilation problem looks like in real time.

In this episode, Melody Bishop RT explains how respiratory therapists think through oxygenation and ventilation to choose the right intervention and recognize when a patient is ready to breathe on their own. We’re calling out the old dogma and myths that can delay treatment and worsen patient outcomes!

Topics discussed in this episode:

1. Ventilation vs. oxygenation: the core building blocks
2. V/Q mismatch explained
3. ABG findings for low-flow vs. high-flow vs. BiPAP
4. When CO₂ is the problem and the benefits of BiPAP
5. Key indicators it’s time to intubate and the dangers of waiting
6. The myth of resting patients on ventilation
7. How to accurately assess spontaneous breathing trials
8. COPD, oxygen, and the hypoxic drive myth
9. What nurses should know about working with RTs

Connect with Melody:

https://melodybishoprt.com/

Mentioned in this episode:

Rapid Response Academy Winter 2026 Cohort

https://www.rapidresponseandrescue.com/rra