Which of the following is a common complication of prolonged mechanical ventilation?

Prolonged mechanical ventilation is associated with several potential complications, and among them, nosocomial pneumonia stands out as a common concern. When a patient is on mechanical ventilation, the endotracheal tube or tracheostomy can serve as a conduit for pathogens to enter the lower respiratory tract. This increases the risk of infection, leading to pneumonia that is acquired in a hospital setting, referred to as nosocomial pneumonia.

Factors such as impaired cough reflex, weakened respiratory musculature, and potential colonization of oropharyngeal bacteria all contribute to the increased risk of this type of pneumonia in patients receiving mechanical ventilation. Consequently, the invasive nature of mechanical ventilation along with the patient's condition often predisposes them to develop nosocomial pneumonia, making it a relevant complication.

While muscle atrophy, pulmonary embolism, and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) may also occur, they are not as direct a consequence of mechanical ventilation as nosocomial pneumonia. Muscle atrophy is primarily related to immobility rather than the mechanical ventilation itself, pulmonary embolism can arise from other issues such as prolonged immobilization or underlying comorbidities, and ARDS is a separate condition that can sometimes develop due to factors unrelated to the duration of ventilation