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.

Answer and Explanation

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.

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Correct Answer is D

Explanation

A. Initiate contact precautions for the client upon admission. This is incorrect because contact precautions are not sufficient to prevent the spread of TB, which is an airborne disease that can travel through small droplets in the air.

B. Restrict visitors from entering the client's room during hospitalization. This is incorrect because visitors can enter the client's room as long as they wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) such as an N95 respirator, gown, gloves, and eye protection.

C. Wear a surgical mask while providing care for the client. This is incorrect because a surgical mask does not filter out small airborne particles that carry TB bacteria. The nurse should wear an N95 respirator or higher level of respiratory protection when caring for a client who has active TB.

D. Have the client wear a surgical mask while being transported outside the room. This is correct because a surgical mask can reduce the amount of droplets that are expelled by the client when coughing or sneezing, thus minimizing the risk of infecting others in common areas or hallways.

A. Hemoglobin 14.9 g/dL B. WBC count 12.000/mm C. Potassium 48 mEq D. BUN 18 mg/dL

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

A. Correct. A hemoglobin level of 14.9 g/dL indicates that the client has an adequate amount of oxygen-carrying capacity in the blood, which is the goal of blood transfusion therapy.

B. Incorrect. A WBC count of 12,000/mm3 is slightly elevated and may indicate an infection or inflammation, which are not related to blood transfusion therapy.

C. Incorrect. A potassium level of 48 mEq/L is dangerously high and may cause cardiac arrhythmias, muscle weakness, or paralysis. This is not an expected outcome of blood transfusion therapy and may indicate hemolysis or renal impairment.

D. Incorrect. A BUN level of 18 mg/dL is within the normal range and does not reflect the effectiveness of blood transfusion therapy.

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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?

Nursing Test Bank

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