Mechanical Ventilation Practice
Questions and Answers Latest Version
Graded A+
A nurse is caring for a patient who is receiving mechanical ventilation. The nurse observes that
the patient’s respiratory rate is lower than the set rate on the ventilator. Which of the following is
most likely to occur as a result?
a) The ventilator will adjust to meet the patient’s spontaneous breathing rate
✔✔b) The ventilator will deliver the set number of breaths per minute regardless of the patient’s
breathing rate
c) The patient will experience respiratory alkalosis
d) The ventilator will decrease the tidal volume
A nurse is caring for a patient who is receiving positive pressure ventilation. The nurse notices
the patient’s peak inspiratory pressure (PIP) is increasing. Which of the following is the most
likely cause?
a) Decreased airway resistance
b) Increased lung compliance
✔✔c) Increased secretions or obstruction in the airway
d) Decreased tidal volume
1
,A nurse is caring for a patient who is receiving mechanical ventilation in assist-control mode.
The patient begins to breathe at a rate of 20 breaths per minute, but the ventilator is set for 12
breaths per minute. How will the ventilator respond?
✔✔a) The ventilator will assist the patient’s spontaneous breaths and deliver the remaining set
breaths
b) The ventilator will stop assisting the patient with breaths
c) The ventilator will increase the respiratory rate to match the patient's spontaneous rate
d) The ventilator will decrease the tidal volume to match the patient's rate
A nurse is caring for a patient on a ventilator and notices that the patient's endotracheal tube cuff
pressure is high. What complication is the nurse most concerned about?
a) Excessive airway resistance
✔✔b) Risk of tracheal injury or damage
c) Decreased gas exchange
d) Respiratory alkalosis
2
, A nurse is caring for a patient receiving mechanical ventilation and is concerned about
ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP). Which of the following is the best way to reduce the
risk of VAP?
a) Providing high doses of sedatives to reduce the patient’s anxiety
b) Keeping the patient in the supine position to prevent aspiration
✔✔c) Elevating the head of the bed to 30–45 degrees and maintaining proper oral hygiene
d) Increasing the ventilator’s respiratory rate
A nurse is caring for a patient who is receiving mechanical ventilation and is experiencing
respiratory acidosis. Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?
a) Increase the respiratory rate to improve ventilation
b) Decrease the tidal volume to prevent barotrauma
✔✔c) Increase the tidal volume and/or respiratory rate to improve ventilation
d) Administer sedation to reduce respiratory effort
A nurse is caring for a patient who is receiving mechanical ventilation with a volume-controlled
mode. The nurse notes that the patient’s peak inspiratory pressure (PIP) has increased
significantly. What should the nurse assess next?
a) The patient's oxygen saturation levels
3
Questions and Answers Latest Version
Graded A+
A nurse is caring for a patient who is receiving mechanical ventilation. The nurse observes that
the patient’s respiratory rate is lower than the set rate on the ventilator. Which of the following is
most likely to occur as a result?
a) The ventilator will adjust to meet the patient’s spontaneous breathing rate
✔✔b) The ventilator will deliver the set number of breaths per minute regardless of the patient’s
breathing rate
c) The patient will experience respiratory alkalosis
d) The ventilator will decrease the tidal volume
A nurse is caring for a patient who is receiving positive pressure ventilation. The nurse notices
the patient’s peak inspiratory pressure (PIP) is increasing. Which of the following is the most
likely cause?
a) Decreased airway resistance
b) Increased lung compliance
✔✔c) Increased secretions or obstruction in the airway
d) Decreased tidal volume
1
,A nurse is caring for a patient who is receiving mechanical ventilation in assist-control mode.
The patient begins to breathe at a rate of 20 breaths per minute, but the ventilator is set for 12
breaths per minute. How will the ventilator respond?
✔✔a) The ventilator will assist the patient’s spontaneous breaths and deliver the remaining set
breaths
b) The ventilator will stop assisting the patient with breaths
c) The ventilator will increase the respiratory rate to match the patient's spontaneous rate
d) The ventilator will decrease the tidal volume to match the patient's rate
A nurse is caring for a patient on a ventilator and notices that the patient's endotracheal tube cuff
pressure is high. What complication is the nurse most concerned about?
a) Excessive airway resistance
✔✔b) Risk of tracheal injury or damage
c) Decreased gas exchange
d) Respiratory alkalosis
2
, A nurse is caring for a patient receiving mechanical ventilation and is concerned about
ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP). Which of the following is the best way to reduce the
risk of VAP?
a) Providing high doses of sedatives to reduce the patient’s anxiety
b) Keeping the patient in the supine position to prevent aspiration
✔✔c) Elevating the head of the bed to 30–45 degrees and maintaining proper oral hygiene
d) Increasing the ventilator’s respiratory rate
A nurse is caring for a patient who is receiving mechanical ventilation and is experiencing
respiratory acidosis. Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?
a) Increase the respiratory rate to improve ventilation
b) Decrease the tidal volume to prevent barotrauma
✔✔c) Increase the tidal volume and/or respiratory rate to improve ventilation
d) Administer sedation to reduce respiratory effort
A nurse is caring for a patient who is receiving mechanical ventilation with a volume-controlled
mode. The nurse notes that the patient’s peak inspiratory pressure (PIP) has increased
significantly. What should the nurse assess next?
a) The patient's oxygen saturation levels
3
