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. Contact the facility's ethics committee: This is incorrect because it is not an urgent action and it does not address the client's immediate needs. The ethics committee can be consulted later if there are ethical dilemmas or conflicts regarding the client's care.

B. Obtain consent from the client's employer: This is incorrect because it is not a valid source of consent. The employer has no legal or ethical authority to make decisions for the client, unless they are also a designated surrogate or proxy.

C. Limit care to comfort measures: This is incorrect because it does not meet the standard of care for an emergency situation. The nurse has a duty to provide life-saving interventions for a client who is unconscious and requires emergency medical procedures, unless there is evidence of a valid advance directive that states otherwise.

D. Proceed with provision of medical care: This is correct because it follows the principle of implied consent, which assumes that a reasonable person would consent to emergency treatment if they were able to do so. The nurse should document the circumstances and continue to search for family members or other sources of consent.

A. Elevate the right leg above heart level. B. Prepare the adolescent for surgery. C. Remove the splint. D. Apply ice to the affected extremity.

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

A. Elevate the right leg above heart level. This is contraindicated for the adolescent because elevating the leg above heart level can increase blood pressure in the injured area and worsen bleeding and swelling.

B. Prepare the adolescent for surgery. This is anticipated for the adolescent because they have an open fracture with bone displacement, which requires surgical intervention to reduce the risk of infection and complications.

C. Remove the splint. This is contraindicated for the adolescent because removing the splint can cause further damage to the bone and soft tissues and increase pain and bleeding.

D. Apply ice to the affected extremity. This is contraindicated for the adolescent because applying ice can decrease blood flow to the injured area and impair healing and sensation.

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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

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

A nurse in an emergency department is caring for a client who is unconscious and requires emergency medical procedures. The nurse is unable to locate members of the client's family to obtain consent. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

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