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?
Tighten the tubing connections.
Request insertion of a tracheostomy tube.
Suction the client's airway.
Look for a leak in the tube's cuff.
The Correct Answer is C
Choice A rationale:
Tightening the tubing connections may be necessary if there is a leak in the ventilator system, but it does not address the high-pressure alarm issue. The nurse needs to address the immediate alarm situation first.
Choice B rationale:
Requesting insertion of a tracheostomy tube is not the appropriate action for a high-pressure alarm on the ventilator. Tracheostomy tube insertion is a significant procedure that is not indicated solely based on a high-pressure alarm.
Choice C rationale:
Suctioning the client's airway is the correct action for a high-pressure alarm on the ventilator. The alarm indicates an obstruction in the airway, and suctioning can help clear any secretions or blockages, allowing the client to breathe more effectively.
Choice D rationale:
Looking for a leak in the tube's cuff may be necessary if the high-pressure alarm persists after suctioning and checking connections. Identifying and repairing any leaks can prevent further issues with ventilation. However, immediate action should be taken to clear the airway first, as indicated by suctioning.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Droplet.
The rationale for each choice is as follows:
- A. Droplet: Correct. Pneumonia is transmitted by respiratory droplets that are generated by coughing, sneezing, or talking. The nurse should wear a surgical mask and eye protection when caring for the client and maintain a distance of at least 3 feet from the client.
- B. Airborne: Incorrect. Airborne precautions are used for diseases that are transmitted by small particles that remain suspended in the air for long periods of time, such as tuberculosis, measles, or chickenpox. The nurse should wear a respirator and place the client in a negative-pressure room.
- C. Contact: Incorrect. Contact precautions are used for diseases that are transmitted by direct or indirect contact with the client or the client's environment, such as Clostridium difficile, scabies, or MRSA. The nurse should wear gloves and a gown and use dedicated equipment for the client.
- D. Protective environment: Incorrect. Protective environment precautions are used for clients who are immunocompromised and at risk of infection from others, such as clients who have had a stem cell transplant or are receiving chemotherapy. The nurse should wear a mask, gloves, and a gown and place the client in a positive-pressure room with HEPA filtration.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
pH 7.31
Rationale:
A - This is incorrect because weight gain is not expected in clients who have COPD, as they often have difficulty eating and digesting food due to dyspnea and fatigue.
B - This is incorrect because a decrease in anteroposterior diameter of the chest is not typical of COPD, as the condition causes hyperinflation and air trapping in the lungs, leading to an increase in chest size and a barrel-shaped appearance.
C - This is incorrect because HCO3 24 mEq/L is within the normal range for blood bicarbonate levels, which are 22 to 26 mEq/L. Clients who have COPD often have chronic respiratory acidosis, which stimulates the kidneys to retain bicarbonate and increase its levels in the blood to compensate for the low pH.
D - This is correct because pH 7.31 indicates acidosis, which is common in clients who have COPD due to impaired gas exchange and accumulation of carbon dioxide in the blood.
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