A nurse is caring for a client receiving mechanical ventilation via an endotracheal (ET) tube. The high-pressure alarm is beeping, and the client is experiencing respiratory distress. The nurse is unable to determine the cause of the alarm. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
Re-evaluate the client for an ET cuff leak.
Assess for disconnected tubing.
Decrease the ventilator flow rate.
Deliver breaths manually with a resuscitation bag.
The Correct Answer is D
Choice A reason
Re-evaluate the client for an ET cuff leak is not appropriate. While an ET cuff leak could contribute to respiratory distress, the immediate concern is the high-pressure alarm, which indicates increased resistance to airflow. The nurse should address the alarm first and then assess for other potential causes, including an ET cuff leak.
Choice B reason:
Option B: Assess for disconnected tubing is not appropriate. A disconnected tubing is also a potential cause of the high-pressure alarm. However, before checking for disconnected tubing, the nurse should first deliver manual breaths with a resuscitation bag to provide the client with adequate ventilation.
Choice C reason:
Decrease the ventilator flow rate is not appropriate. Decreasing the ventilator flow rate might not be the appropriate action in this situation, as the high-pressure alarm indicates increased resistance, which might require increased flow to overcome. Additionally, the nurse should not delay taking immediate action by adjusting ventilator settings without knowing the specific cause of the high-pressure alarm.
Choice D reason:
When the high-pressure alarm is beeping, and the client is experiencing respiratory distress, it indicates that there is an increased resistance to airflow within the ventilator circuit or the client's airway. This can be a life-threatening situation, and immediate action is required.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A reason:
A. Natal Infant Pain Scale (NIPS): The NIPS is a behavioral assessment tool designed for both preterm and full-term neonates. It evaluates six behavioral indicators in response to painful procedures. These indicators include changes in facial expression (such as grimacing, brow bulge, and eye squeeze), body movements (such as fisting, tremulousness, and limb withdrawal), and other signs of distressChoice B reason:
FACES pain rating scale The FACES pain rating scale should not be used because it is a visual scale that uses facial expressions to assess pain in children who can communicate using pictures of faces displaying different emotions. It is generally used for older children and not appropriate for newborns.
Choice C reason
Premature Infant Pain Profile (PIPP): The PIPP is another pain assessment tool specifically developed for preterm infants. It considers physiological and behavioral parameters, including facial expressions, heart rate, oxygen saturation, and gestational age. While useful for preterm infants, it may not be the best choice for full-term newborns.Since the newborn in this scenario was delivered at 38 weeks of gestation, the PIPP would be an appropriate pain assessment tool to use. It considers specific physiological and behavioural indicators of pain in newborns and helps healthcare providers evaluate and manage pain in this vulnerable population.
Choice D reason:
Visual analog scale (VAS) should not be used because the visual analog scale is a pain assessment tool typically used for older children, adolescents, and adults who can understand and provide a subjective rating of their pain intensity along a linear scale. It involves marking a point on the line corresponding to the level of pain experienced. Since newborns cannot communicate in this way, the VAS is not suitable for their pain assessment.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
A. Irritability: Correct. Irritability is one of the signs of hypoglycemia, which occurs when blood glucose levels fall below 70 mg/dL (3.9 mmol/L). Other signs include shakiness, sweating, hunger, headache, confusion, and blurred vision.
B. Increased urination: Incorrect. Increased urination is one of the signs of hyperglycemia, which occurs when blood glucose levels rise above 180 mg/dL (10 mmol/L). Other signs include thirst, dry mouth, fatigue, nausea, and fruity breath odor.
C. Vomiting: Incorrect. Vomiting is not a specific sign of hypoglycemia or hyperglycemia, but it can occur as a complication of either condition if left untreated or poorly managed.
D.Facial flushing: Incorrect. Facial flushing is not a sign of hypoglycemia or hyperglycemia, but it can occur as a side effect of some medications used to treat diabetes, such as niacin or rosiglitazone.
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