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. Pneumothorax: A pneumothorax occurs when air accumulates in the pleural space, causing the lung to collapse. It often presents with unilateral chest pain, dyspnea, and diminished or absent breath sounds on the affected side.
B. Atelectasis: Atelectasis refers to the collapse of alveoli in the lungs, often caused by obstruction, compression, or lack of surfactant. Symptoms include hypoxemia, diminished breath sounds, and shortness of breath.
C. Hemothorax: A hemothorax occurs when blood accumulates in the pleural space. It typically presents with chest pain, dyspnea, and diminished or absent breath sounds on the affected side.
D. Flail Chest: Flail chest results from multiple rib fractures that create a free-floating segment of the chest wall. This condition causes paradoxical chest movement, where the chest wall segment moves inward during inspiration and outward during expiration.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
A. Place the client in a private room with a special ventilation system.
The primary method to prevent the transmission of tuberculosis is to place the client in a negative pressure room with adequate ventilation. This helps to reduce the risk of airborne transmission of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis bacteria.
B. Modify the protocol for donning and removing personal protective equipment before entering or leaving the client’s room:
Standard precautions should be followed, but the primary emphasis is on airborne precautions due to the potential for airborne transmission of TB. Modifications to donning and removing PPE are not the main focus.
C. Have staff and visitors wear gowns, masks, and gloves while in the client’s room:
Airborne precautions are more specific for suspected active tuberculosis. While gowns, masks, and gloves may be used for other infectious diseases, the key precaution for TB is a private room with negative pressure ventilation.
D. Assign the client to a room with other clients who require droplet precautions:
Tuberculosis is primarily transmitted through airborne particles, not droplets. Placing the client in a room with droplet precautions is not sufficient to prevent the spread of tuberculosis.
Whether you are a student looking to ace your exams or a practicing nurse seeking to enhance your expertise , our nursing education contents will empower you with the confidence and competence to make a difference in the lives of patients and become a respected leader in the healthcare field.
Visit Naxlex, invest in your future and unlock endless possibilities with our unparalleled nursing education contents today
Report Wrong Answer on the Current Question
Do you disagree with the answer? If yes, what is your expected answer? Explain.
Kindly be descriptive with the issue you are facing.
