While a nurse is caring for a client who is receiving mechanical ventilation via an endotracheal tube, the high-pressure alarm on the ventilator sounds. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
Request insertion of a tracheostomy tube.
Suction the client's airway.
Tighten the tubing connections.
Look for a leak in the tube's cuff.
The Correct Answer is B
Answer: B
Rationale:
A) Request insertion of a tracheostomy tube: The high-pressure alarm on a ventilator typically indicates increased resistance to airflow within the airway, which may be due to secretions, bronchospasm, or another obstruction. Requesting insertion of a tracheostomy tube is not the first action the nurse should take in response to a high-pressure alarm. Instead, the nurse should assess and manage potential causes of increased airway resistance before considering a change in airway management.
B) Suction the client's airway: Suctioning the client's airway is the priority action in response to a high-pressure alarm on the ventilator. Increased airway pressure may be due to secretions or a mucus plug, leading to airway obstruction. Suctioning helps clear the airway and restore effective ventilation.
C) Tighten the tubing connections: While loose tubing connections can contribute to air leaks and decreased ventilation efficiency, they are not the primary cause of a high-pressure alarm. Tightening tubing connections may be necessary but is not the initial action in response to a high-pressure alarm.
D) Look for a leak in the tube's cuff: Checking for a leak in the endotracheal tube cuff is essential to ensure an adequate seal and prevent aspiration. However, it is not the first action the nurse should take in response to a high-pressure alarm. The priority is to address potential airway obstruction by suctioning the client's airway to remove secretions or other obstructions.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
A. A child who has acute epiglottitis and is drooling: Acute epiglottitis is a medical emergency that can rapidly progress to airway obstruction and respiratory distress. Drooling is a significant sign of airway compromise in children with epiglottitis due to swelling of the epiglottis. This child requires immediate assessment and intervention to ensure airway patency.
B. A child who has mononucleosis and reports severe fatigue: While mononucleosis can cause severe fatigue, it is not an immediate life-threatening condition compared to acute epiglottitis. Assessment and intervention for severe fatigue can be prioritized after addressing the child with potential airway compromise.
C. A child who has Wilms' tumor and an abdominal mass: Wilms' tumor is a type of kidney cancer that typically presents with an abdominal mass. While it requires timely medical intervention, it is not as urgent as acute epiglottitis, which poses a risk of airway obstruction.
D. A child who has a urinary tract infection and bright red blood in their urine: While a urinary tract infection with hematuria requires assessment and treatment, it is not immediately life-threatening compared to acute epiglottitis. Addressing the child with potential airway compromise takes precedence over evaluating and managing hematuria.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
A. Decreased impulsiveness: Methylphenidate is a central nervous system stimulant commonly used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children. One of the therapeutic effects of methylphenidate is the reduction of impulsiveness, hyperactivity, and inattention, which are hallmark symptoms of ADHD. Therefore, a decrease in impulsiveness would indicate that the medication is effective.
B. Increased urine output: Methylphenidate is not expected to affect urine output. Increased urine output is not a typical finding indicating the effectiveness of methylphenidate.
C. Increased appetite: Methylphenidate commonly causes appetite suppression as a side effect. Therefore, an increase in appetite would not be indicative of the medication's effectiveness. In fact, a decrease in appetite is a common adverse effect of methylphenidate.
D. Decreased abdominal pain: Methylphenidate is not typically used to treat abdominal pain, and its effectiveness is not evaluated based on the relief of abdominal pain. The primary therapeutic effect of methylphenidate in ADHD is the improvement of attention, focus, and impulse control. Therefore, decreased abdominal pain would not be a reliable indicator of the medication's effectiveness.
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