Therapeutic algorithm regarding early acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) management includes a low tidal volume (< 6 mL/kg PBW), high PEEP, and P_(plateau) ≤ 30 cmH_2O. We present a case of germ cell tumor with endobronchial metastasis and ARDS, complicated by airway occlusion, which caused right lung atelectasis and mixed respiratory failure. Lung protective strategy included the activation of ventilator volume guarantee mode to maintain a proper tidal volume, thereby avoiding excessive airway pressure and reducing pulmonary volutrauma. Although the patient eventually succumbed to septic shock and multiple organ failure, we still gained considerable insight into patient care through combining the ventilator setting for ARDS with the application of volume guarantee mode to alleviate carbon dioxide retention from bronchial tumor obstruction.