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Troubleshooting Mechanical Ventilator Alarms and Alarm Fatigue

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1.  What is the first thing the respiratory therapist should do when a low PIP and low VT alarm activates on a patient receiving mechanical ventilation? Check the circuit for a disconnection Assess the patient’s breath sounds Obtain an arterial blood gas for analysis Call the authorized practitioner

2.  A high-pressure limit alarm is activated on a patient receiving mechanical ventilation. The respiratory therapist should assess for which of these? Patient disconnection An obstruction in the artificial airway Leaks in the circuit Tracheal cuff pressure

3.  What should the respiratory therapist do first if an alarm cannot be quickly identified or corrected? Disconnect the patient from the ventilator and begin manual ventilation Contact the practitioner for further interventions Call for help Assess the patient’s vital signs

4.  What should the respiratory therapist do to minimize the likelihood of a power loss? Plug the ventilator into a grounded outlet Ensure that the ventilator’s external battery is changed Plug the ventilator into a power source supplied by a generator Ensure the ventilator’s internal battery is changed

5.  An apnea alarm is activated on a patient who is receiving mechanical ventilation. Which of the following could be the cause for the alarm activation? An inappropriate high pressure alarm setting An inappropriate sensitivity setting A tube obstruction Water in the circuit