1. What are the three main components of the Rapid
Response Team (RRT) and what are their roles in
acute care settings? (3 points)
- The three main components of the RRT are the
team leader, the critical care nurse, and the
respiratory therapist. The team leader is usually a
physician or an advanced practice nurse who
coordinates the assessment and management of
the patient. The critical care nurse provides
bedside care and monitors the patient's vital signs
and interventions. The respiratory therapist
assists with airway management and oxygen
therapy.
2. What are some common causes of acute
respiratory failure and how can they be prevented
or treated? (4 points)
- Some common causes of acute respiratory failure
are pneumonia, asthma, chronic obstructive
pulmonary disease (COPD), pulmonary embolism,
acute lung injury, and acute respiratory distress
syndrome (ARDS). They can be prevented or
treated by avoiding smoking, infections, allergens,
and environmental toxins, as well as by
administering bronchodilators, corticosteroids,
antibiotics, anticoagulants, mechanical
, ventilation, and extracorporeal membrane
oxygenation (ECMO) as indicated.
3. What are the indications and contraindications for
initiating non-invasive positive pressure ventilation
(NIPPV) in patients with acute respiratory failure? (3
points)
- The indications for initiating NIPPV are hypoxemic
or hypercapnic respiratory failure that is not
responsive to conventional oxygen therapy,
impending intubation, or extubation failure. The
contraindications for initiating NIPPV are
hemodynamic instability, cardiac arrest, facial
trauma or surgery, upper airway obstruction,
copious secretions, or inability to cooperate or
protect the airway.
4. What are the types and complications of central
venous catheters (CVCs) and how can they be
prevented or managed? (4 points)
- The types of CVCs are peripherally inserted central
catheters (PICCs), subclavian catheters, internal
jugular catheters, and femoral catheters. The
complications of CVCs are infection, thrombosis,
, air embolism, pneumothorax, hemothorax, and
catheter malposition or migration. They can be
prevented or managed by following aseptic
technique, using ultrasound guidance, securing
and dressing the catheter properly, flushing and
locking the catheter regularly, monitoring for
signs and symptoms of complications, and
removing the catheter as soon as possible.
5. What are the indications and complications of intra-
aortic balloon pump (IABP) therapy and how can
they be monitored and managed? (4 points)
- The indications for IABP therapy are cardiogenic
shock, acute myocardial infarction, unstable
angina, ventricular arrhythmias, mechanical
complications of myocardial infarction, or as a
bridge to cardiac surgery or transplantation. The
complications of IABP therapy are limb ischemia,
bleeding, infection, balloon rupture or
displacement, aortic dissection or perforation, and
embolization. They can be monitored and
managed by assessing the insertion site, distal
pulses, blood pressure, cardiac output, arterial
blood gases, chest x-ray, electrocardiogram
Response Team (RRT) and what are their roles in
acute care settings? (3 points)
- The three main components of the RRT are the
team leader, the critical care nurse, and the
respiratory therapist. The team leader is usually a
physician or an advanced practice nurse who
coordinates the assessment and management of
the patient. The critical care nurse provides
bedside care and monitors the patient's vital signs
and interventions. The respiratory therapist
assists with airway management and oxygen
therapy.
2. What are some common causes of acute
respiratory failure and how can they be prevented
or treated? (4 points)
- Some common causes of acute respiratory failure
are pneumonia, asthma, chronic obstructive
pulmonary disease (COPD), pulmonary embolism,
acute lung injury, and acute respiratory distress
syndrome (ARDS). They can be prevented or
treated by avoiding smoking, infections, allergens,
and environmental toxins, as well as by
administering bronchodilators, corticosteroids,
antibiotics, anticoagulants, mechanical
, ventilation, and extracorporeal membrane
oxygenation (ECMO) as indicated.
3. What are the indications and contraindications for
initiating non-invasive positive pressure ventilation
(NIPPV) in patients with acute respiratory failure? (3
points)
- The indications for initiating NIPPV are hypoxemic
or hypercapnic respiratory failure that is not
responsive to conventional oxygen therapy,
impending intubation, or extubation failure. The
contraindications for initiating NIPPV are
hemodynamic instability, cardiac arrest, facial
trauma or surgery, upper airway obstruction,
copious secretions, or inability to cooperate or
protect the airway.
4. What are the types and complications of central
venous catheters (CVCs) and how can they be
prevented or managed? (4 points)
- The types of CVCs are peripherally inserted central
catheters (PICCs), subclavian catheters, internal
jugular catheters, and femoral catheters. The
complications of CVCs are infection, thrombosis,
, air embolism, pneumothorax, hemothorax, and
catheter malposition or migration. They can be
prevented or managed by following aseptic
technique, using ultrasound guidance, securing
and dressing the catheter properly, flushing and
locking the catheter regularly, monitoring for
signs and symptoms of complications, and
removing the catheter as soon as possible.
5. What are the indications and complications of intra-
aortic balloon pump (IABP) therapy and how can
they be monitored and managed? (4 points)
- The indications for IABP therapy are cardiogenic
shock, acute myocardial infarction, unstable
angina, ventricular arrhythmias, mechanical
complications of myocardial infarction, or as a
bridge to cardiac surgery or transplantation. The
complications of IABP therapy are limb ischemia,
bleeding, infection, balloon rupture or
displacement, aortic dissection or perforation, and
embolization. They can be monitored and
managed by assessing the insertion site, distal
pulses, blood pressure, cardiac output, arterial
blood gases, chest x-ray, electrocardiogram
