A nurse is monitoring a client who has a traumatic brain injury and a ventriculostomy drain. The nurse should report which of the following findings as a complication of this therapeutic procedure? (Select all that apply.)

Choice A Reason:

Remaining 1 meter (3 feet) away from the client when providing care is not sufficient to prevent the spread of tuberculosis (TB). TB is an airborne disease, and the bacteria can remain suspended in the air for several hours. Therefore, maintaining a distance alone does not provide adequate protection against inhaling the bacteria.

Choice B Reason:

Applying a surgical mask before entering the client’s room is not the most effective measure. Surgical masks are designed to protect against large droplets and splashes, but they do not provide adequate protection against airborne particles like TB bacteria. Instead, healthcare workers should use N95 respirators, which are specifically designed to filter out airborne particles.

Choice C Reason:

Ensuring the door to the client’s room is closed at all times is a critical measure in preventing the spread of TB. This action helps to contain the airborne bacteria within the room, reducing the risk of transmission to others in the healthcare facility. This is part of airborne precautions, which are essential for managing patients with active TB.

Choice D Reason:

Placing a “no visitors” sign on the client’s door can help limit the number of people exposed to the TB bacteria, but it is not the most critical action. While it is important to restrict visitors, ensuring the door is closed and using appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) are more effective measures in controlling the spread of TB.

Choice A Reason:

Suctioning secretions from the endotracheal tube is a common intervention for high-pressure alarms, which indicate an obstruction in the airway. However, a low-pressure alarm typically signals a disconnection or leak in the ventilator system, not an obstruction.

Choice B Reason:

Checking the ventilator tubing connections is the appropriate response to a low-pressure alarm. This alarm usually indicates a disconnection or leak in the ventilator circuit, which can compromise the delivery of adequate ventilation to the patient. Ensuring all connections are secure is the first step in troubleshooting this issue.

Choice C Reason:

Administering intravenous sedation and analgesia is not directly related to addressing a low-pressure ventilator alarm. While sedation may be necessary for patient comfort and to prevent agitation, it does not resolve the underlying issue of a disconnection or leak in the ventilator system.

Choice D Reason:

Reassuring the client and instructing them not to bite on the tube is more relevant to high-pressure alarms, where patient actions such as biting the tube can cause increased airway resistance. It does not address the cause of a low-pressure alarm, which is typically due to a disconnection or leak.