A student is caring for a patient with positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) at 5 cm H20. The student asks “What is the purpose of PEEP?” which of the following is an appropriate response by the nurse?
PEEP deceases the peak respiratory pressures
“PEEP increases the number of breaths the patient takes on his own.”
“PEEP augments the patient’s overall tidal volumes.”
“PEEP improves oxygenation by keeping alveoli open after exhalation.”
The Correct Answer is D
A. PEEP decreases the peak respiratory pressures:
PEEP may increase peak respiratory pressures, especially during inspiration, but its primary purpose is to prevent alveolar collapse and improve oxygenation.
B. “PEEP increases the number of breaths the patient takes on his own.”:
PEEP does not increase the number of breaths the patient takes. It primarily affects the quality of ventilation by preventing alveolar collapse.
C. “PEEP augments the patient’s overall tidal volumes.”:
PEEP does not necessarily increase overall tidal volumes. It focuses on maintaining positive pressure at the end of expiration to prevent alveolar collapse.
D. “PEEP improves oxygenation by keeping alveoli open after exhalation.”
Positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) is used in mechanical ventilation to maintain positive pressure in the airways and alveoli at the end of the respiratory cycle (expiration). This helps prevent alveolar collapse and improves oxygenation by keeping the alveoli open, particularly in patients with conditions like acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). PEEP is commonly used to increase functional residual capacity (FRC) and improve oxygenation.
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Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
A. Suppress respiratory effort
Pancuronium is a neuromuscular blocking agent that is often used to induce paralysis in patients requiring mechanical ventilation. It works by blocking the transmission of nerve impulses at the neuromuscular junction, leading to skeletal muscle paralysis. In the context of a client with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) on mechanical ventilation, the use of pancuronium helps to suppress respiratory effort, allowing for better control of the patient's ventilation and oxygenation.
B. Decrease chest wall compliance:
Pancuronium does not directly affect chest wall compliance. It primarily acts on skeletal muscles, leading to paralysis.
C. Decrease respiratory secretions:
Pancuronium is not used to decrease respiratory secretions. It is a neuromuscular blocking agent with the main goal of inducing paralysis.
D. Induce sedation:
Pancuronium does not induce sedation. It works on the neuromuscular junction and does not have sedative properties. Sedation may be achieved with other medications, such as sedative agents.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
A. A client who is taking a thiazide diuretic:
Thiazide diuretics can cause loss of potassium and metabolic alkalosis, not metabolic acidosis.
B. A client who is vomiting:
Vomiting can lead to the loss of stomach acid (hydrochloric acid) and may result in metabolic alkalosis, not metabolic acidosis.
C. A client who has diarrhea.
Diarrhea can lead to the loss of bicarbonate, an important buffer in the body that helps maintain acid-base balance. The loss of bicarbonate in diarrhea can result in an excess of acid, contributing to metabolic acidosis.
D. A client who is having an acute anxiety attack:
Acute anxiety is not typically associated with metabolic acidosis. It is not directly related to changes in acid-base balance.
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