The treatment depends on the cause, so reaching a diagnosis is vital. History, examination and investigation should proceed in the usual fashion.

Click on each point to see the short-term measures which may help.

• Increase FiO₂
• protective lung ventilation
• Increase mean airway pressure, achievable by:
  • Increasing PEEP
    Increasing inspiratory pressure.
    Increasing inspiratory time.
• Permissive hypoxia: SpO of 92% is acceptable. In severe respiratory failure, many experts would accept saturations of over 85%. 

The correct response will depend on the circumstances, but keep in mind the principles of ventilator management referred to above (tidal volume, airway pressure, respiratory rate).

Please now take the time to read more information via this https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJM200005043421801