Questions and Answers Already Passed
A nurse is caring for a patient on mechanical ventilation in the assist-control mode. The nurse
notices that the patient is taking spontaneous breaths at a rate of 10 breaths per minute, while the
ventilator is set to deliver 12 breaths per minute. What will happen in this situation?
✔✔The ventilator will assist the patient's spontaneous breaths, delivering the full tidal volume
with each breath.
A nurse is monitoring a patient on mechanical ventilation and notices that the patient's peak
inspiratory pressure is increasing. What could be the most likely cause of this increase?
✔✔The patient may be developing atelectasis or a blockage in the airway, increasing resistance
to airflow.
A nurse is caring for a patient with acute respiratory failure on a ventilator. The ventilator is set
in the volume-controlled mode. What is the primary risk associated with this mode?
✔✔The primary risk is the potential for barotrauma if the airway pressure becomes too high
while delivering the set tidal volume.
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,A nurse is assessing a patient on mechanical ventilation with a positive end-expiratory pressure
(PEEP) setting. The nurse understands that PEEP helps in which of the following ways?
✔✔PEEP helps to maintain alveolar inflation, improve oxygenation, and prevent atelectasis
during mechanical ventilation.
A nurse is caring for a patient on mechanical ventilation in the pressure-controlled mode. What
does this mode primarily control?
✔✔Pressure-controlled mode primarily controls the pressure delivered to the lungs, ensuring it
does not exceed a preset level, regardless of the tidal volume.
A nurse is monitoring a patient’s blood gases while they are on mechanical ventilation. The
nurse observes a decrease in the patient's pH and an increase in PaCO2. What should the nurse
do first?
✔✔The nurse should assess the ventilator settings, specifically the tidal volume and respiratory
rate, to ensure the patient is receiving adequate ventilation.
A nurse is caring for a patient on a mechanical ventilator in the assist-control mode. The
patient’s spontaneous breathing rate is higher than the ventilator’s preset rate. What should the
nurse expect the ventilator to do?
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, ✔✔The ventilator will continue to deliver the set number of breaths, assisting the patient with
full tidal volume during spontaneous breaths.
A nurse is caring for a patient with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) who is on
mechanical ventilation. What is a key strategy in managing ventilation for ARDS patients?
✔✔Using low tidal volumes and higher levels of PEEP to reduce the risk of ventilator-induced
lung injury.
A nurse is caring for a patient on mechanical ventilation in the synchronized intermittent
mandatory ventilation (SIMV) mode. The nurse understands that in SIMV, the patient can:
✔✔The patient can initiate breaths spontaneously, and the ventilator will assist those breaths if
needed, but the patient will also receive a set number of mandatory breaths.
A nurse is caring for a patient on mechanical ventilation in the assist-control mode. The patient is
showing signs of respiratory acidosis. What is the most appropriate intervention to address this
issue?
✔✔Increase the tidal volume or respiratory rate settings to improve ventilation and lower CO2
levels.
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