Which of the following is an effective way to decrease auto-PEEP?

Decreasing respiratory rate is an effective way to reduce auto-PEEP, primarily because it allows for a longer expiration time for the patient. Auto-PEEP occurs when there is insufficient time for the lungs to fully empty before the next breath is initiated, which can lead to increased intrathoracic pressure, decreased lung compliance, and potential respiratory distress. By slowing down the rate of breathing, the patient has more time to exhale, thus decreasing the end-expiratory lung volume and mitigating the effects of auto-PEEP.

In contrast, increasing tidal volume could exacerbate the problem by promoting incomplete exhalation and increasing the likelihood of air trapping. Adjusting PEEP settings upwards would likely worsen auto-PEEP, as higher PEEP can lead to stacking of breaths and inadequate exhalation. Lowering gas flow rates might help in certain scenarios but is less directly related to providing adequate time for expiration compared to adjusting the respiratory rate.