This article described the nursing experience of caring a 93-year-old man having pneumonia complicated with acute respiratory failure. The patient felt that his life was likely to come to an end while experiencing endotracheal intubation. He strongly sensed that his life was threatened and felt scared due to the possible long-term use of the ventilator, which was something unable to be removed until his death, resulting in a permanent bedridden condition in need of total nursing care and an unknown future. During the nursing period from October 25 to 27 in 2013, the author evaluated the patient using Gordon 11 Function Health Patterns through direct meetings and conversations, observation, physical assessment, and reference to medical records for comprehensive health assessments. The results confirmed that the patient had several health problems, including ineffective airway clearance, sleep disorder, and anxiety. During his hospitalization period, an upper-half medical human model and X-ray films were utilized to explain his progress of health conditions, inpatient treatment planning, and the nursing plan of chest physical therapy. These plans were to improve and maintain the patient's basic respiratory functions. At the same time, his family was invited to stay with him during the whole process to offer support and encourage him to write down what he felt. By doing so, the author helped the patient to reduce anxiety, maintain normal physiological function, increase the possibility of successfully removing the ventilator and then further enhance the patient's confidence in recovery.