The nurse is preparing to administer medication using a client’s nasogastric tube. Which actions should the nurse take before administering the medication? Select all that apply.

Choice A Reason:

Malfunction of the alarm button is unlikely to be the cause of increased peak airway pressure. The alarm is designed to alert the nurse to a problem with the ventilator or the patient’s airway, not to malfunction itself. Therefore, this is not the first thing the nurse should assess.

Choice B Reason:

A cut or slice in the tubing from the ventilator could cause a loss of pressure or air leak, but it would not typically result in increased peak airway pressure. Instead, it would likely cause a decrease in pressure and potentially trigger a different alarm.

Choice C Reason:

Higher than normal endotracheal cuff pressure can contribute to increased peak airway pressure. However, it is not the most immediate concern compared to a kink in the tubing, which can completely obstruct airflow and rapidly compromise the patient’s ventilation.

Choice D Reason:

A kink in the ventilator tubing is a common and immediate cause of increased peak airway pressure. It obstructs the flow of air, leading to a buildup of pressure in the system. This is the first thing the nurse should assess and correct to ensure the patient is receiving adequate ventilation.

Choice A reason:

Baclofen is primarily used to treat muscle symptoms caused by multiple sclerosis, including muscle spasms, stiffness, and pain1. It acts on the spinal cord nerves to decrease the number and severity of muscle spasms, thereby improving muscle movement2. The effectiveness of baclofen in managing multiple sclerosis symptoms is best evaluated by assessing the reduction in muscle spasms.

Choice B reason:

While mood and affect are important aspects of a patient’s overall well-being, they are not the primary indicators of baclofen’s effectiveness. Baclofen does not have a direct impact on mood and affect, as its main function is to relieve muscle spasms and improve muscle movement.

Choice C reason:

Appetite is not a primary concern when evaluating the effectiveness of baclofen. This medication is not known to significantly affect appetite. The main therapeutic goal of baclofen is to reduce muscle spasms and improve mobility in patients with multiple sclerosis.

Choice D reason:

Sleep pattern, although important for overall health, is not the primary measure of baclofen’s effectiveness. Baclofen’s primary role is to alleviate muscle spasms and improve muscle function. While it may have some impact on sleep due to its muscle-relaxing properties, this is not the main criterion for evaluating its effectiveness.