Practice Quiz

Respiratory Therapist

Category - Initiation and Modification of Interventions

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During morning rounds, you note a mechanically ventilated patient’s ETT cuff pressure is 43 mmHg, but air is leaking around tube with exhalation.

What is the appropriate step to recommend to physician to ensure adequate ventilation is provided to patient?
  1. Recommend the nurse monitor pressure for next 12 hours.
  2. Inflate cuff to higher pressure.
  3. Recommend the patient’s ETT is changed.
  4. Adjust the endotracheal tube in airway.
Explanation
Answer: C-It is appropriate in this case to recommend the patient’s ETT be changed as the cuff is faulty.

Monitoring, inflating the cuff to a higher pressure, or adjusting the tube are not recommended if the patient is not able to receive adequate ventilation with the ETT tube in place. If the cuff is inflated to a high pressure, there is risk of causing trauma to the airway. Adjusting the ETT tube is not appropriate unless it is confirmed by radiology as being out of position.
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