A 45-year old male is receiving mechanical ventilation on the following settings: Mode Assist/control Mandatory rate 16. Tidal, volume 550 mL, FIO2 0.60, Pressure limit 60 cm H2O, PEEP 8 cm H2O, I:E 1:1.5. The patient is developing autoPEEP. The respiratory therapist should do which of the following?
A. Discontinue PEEP
B. Decrease PEEP to 5 cm H2O
C. Set PEEP to match the Auto PEEP value
D. Increase inspiratory flow rate