A nurse is caring for a client who has an endotracheal tube (ET) and is on mechanical ventilation. Which of the following actions should the nurse take for a ventilator alarm due to an increase in peak airway pressure? (Select all that apply.)
Check for a disconnection in the ventilator tubing.
Assess the ET for a cuff leak.
Verify the placement of the ET
Check for a kink in the ventilator tubing.
Suction the ET to remove secretions
Correct Answer : D,E
Rationale:
A. Check for a disconnection in the ventilator tubing: A disconnection typically causes a low-pressure alarm, not an increase in peak airway pressure, and would not be the appropriate first response in this case.
B. Assess the ET for a cuff leak: A cuff leak would decrease airway pressure, potentially causing a low-pressure alarm. It is not associated with increased peak airway pressure alarms.
C. Verify the placement of the ET: ET tube misplacement can lead to ventilation issues, but it does not directly cause increased peak pressures unless malposition leads to obstruction, which would be less common.
D. Check for a kink in the ventilator tubing: A kink or obstruction in the tubing increases airway resistance and can cause high peak airway pressure alarms. Resolving the kink can restore normal pressure.
E. Suction the ET to remove secretions: Mucus plugging or secretion buildup increases resistance in the airway, raising peak pressures. Suctioning helps alleviate the obstruction and reduce alarm triggers.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is {"dropdown-group-1":"B","dropdown-group-2":"D"}
Explanation
Rationale for Correct Choices:
- Seizures: The client presents with severe preeclampsia, indicated by BP >160/110 mm Hg, 3+ proteinuria, hyperreflexia (patellar reflex 4+), and persistent headache. These are strong predictors of progression to eclampsia, which is marked by seizures.
- Placental Abruption: Severe hypertension increases the risk of placental abruption due to vascular compromise in the uteroplacental circulation. Decreased fetal movement may be an early warning sign of impaired placental perfusion or separation.
Rationale for Incorrect Choices:
- Cervical Insufficiency: This is a painless cervical dilation often leading to second-trimester loss, unrelated to hypertension or proteinuria. The client is in the third trimester with no signs of cervical changes.
- Hypoglycemia: The client has no history of diabetes, glucose intolerance, or related symptoms. Her urine glucose was only trace, and no medications suggest insulin use.
- Heart Failure: No signs of pulmonary congestion, dyspnea, or elevated heart rate are present. Oxygen saturation is normal, and breath sounds are not mentioned as abnormal, making CHF unlikely at this stage.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Rationale:
A. Establish a patent oral airway: The airway is the highest priority in trauma care, following the ABCs (Airway, Breathing, Circulation). Without a patent airway, the client cannot oxygenate properly, which can quickly become life-threatening.
B. Remove the client's clothing: This helps with full-body assessment and prevention of missed injuries, but it should only be done after ensuring the client’s airway and breathing are stable.
C. Warm blood products prior to administration: While this helps prevent hypothermia during transfusion, warming blood is not the immediate priority in a trauma situation. Circulation support follows airway and breathing in priority.
D. Assign the client a score on the Glasgow Coma Scale: Neurological assessment is important but comes after airway stabilization. The GCS helps evaluate consciousness but should not delay securing the airway in an emergency.
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