A patient is on the ventilator and a high-pressure alarm sounds. The nurse should assess for which of these possible causes for the alarm?
The patient may need suctioning
The patient extubated himself
The ventilator tubing may be disconnected.
The cuff at the end of the endotracheal tube is deflated.
The Correct Answer is A
A. The patient may need suctioning:
A high-pressure alarm indicates increased resistance to airflow, which could be caused by secretions or mucus in the airways. Suctioning is the appropriate intervention to clear the airways of excess secretions, reducing airway resistance and preventing the high-pressure alarm.
B. The patient extubated himself:
If the patient extubates himself (removes the endotracheal tube), this may result in a low-pressure alarm, not a high-pressure alarm. The low-pressure alarm is triggered when there is a loss of pressure within the ventilator circuit due to disconnection or extubation.
C. The ventilator tubing may be disconnected:
If the ventilator tubing is disconnected, it is more likely to trigger a low-pressure alarm, indicating a loss of pressure in the ventilator circuit. This is not the primary cause of increased resistance seen with a high-pressure alarm.
D. The cuff at the end of the endotracheal tube is deflated:
A deflated cuff can lead to air leakage around the endotracheal tube but is not the primary cause of increased airway resistance seen with a high-pressure alarm. It may cause a low-pressure alarm if cuff pressure is monitored.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
A. Metabolic alkalosis with full compensation:
This is not the correct interpretation. Metabolic alkalosis is characterized by an elevated pH and elevated bicarbonate (HCO3-) levels. In this case, the pH is low (acidosis), and the bicarbonate level is within the normal range, suggesting a respiratory issue rather than a metabolic one.
B. Respiratory alkalosis with partial compensation:
This is not the correct interpretation. Respiratory alkalosis is characterized by an elevated pH and decreased PaCO2. In this case, the pH is low (acidosis), and the PaCO2 is elevated, indicating respiratory acidosis rather than alkalosis.
C. Metabolic acidosis with partial compensation:
This is not the correct interpretation. Metabolic acidosis is characterized by a low pH and decreased bicarbonate (HCO3-) levels. In this case, the bicarbonate level is within the normal range, and the elevated PaCO2 suggests a respiratory issue, not metabolic acidosis.
D. Respiratory acidosis with no compensation:
This is the correct interpretation. Respiratory acidosis is characterized by a low pH and an elevated PaCO2. The normal bicarbonate level indicates that compensatory mechanisms (such as the kidneys increasing bicarbonate reabsorption) have not fully corrected the pH imbalance, leading to respiratory acidosis with no compensation.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
A. The patient may need suctioning:
A high-pressure alarm indicates increased resistance to airflow, which could be caused by secretions or mucus in the airways. Suctioning is the appropriate intervention to clear the airways of excess secretions, reducing airway resistance and preventing the high-pressure alarm.
B. The patient extubated himself:
If the patient extubates himself (removes the endotracheal tube), this may result in a low-pressure alarm, not a high-pressure alarm. The low-pressure alarm is triggered when there is a loss of pressure within the ventilator circuit due to disconnection or extubation.
C. The ventilator tubing may be disconnected:
If the ventilator tubing is disconnected, it is more likely to trigger a low-pressure alarm, indicating a loss of pressure in the ventilator circuit. This is not the primary cause of increased resistance seen with a high-pressure alarm.
D. The cuff at the end of the endotracheal tube is deflated:
A deflated cuff can lead to air leakage around the endotracheal tube but is not the primary cause of increased airway resistance seen with a high-pressure alarm. It may cause a low-pressure alarm if cuff pressure is monitored.
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