Which of the following would you initially verify in assessing ...

[panfilo]

Which of the following would you initially verify in assessing the airway of a patient placed on ventilatory support? 1. Cuff pressure 2. Tube position 3. Tube patency
 
  a. 1 and 2 only
  b. 1, 2, and 3
  c. 1 and 3 only
  d. 2 and 3 only

Question 2

When setting the tidal volume on a patient being mechanically ventilated, what criteria should be kept in mind?
 
  a. It should never cause the plateau pressure to exceed 28 mm Hg.
  b. It should never cause the peak pressure to exceed 35 mm Hg.
  c. It should result in the static pressure of less than 10 mm Hg.
  d. It should result in a peak pressure of no more than 25 mm Hg.

[zogaridan]

Answer to Question 1

ANS: B
The artificial airway should be assessed for proper placement, patency, and cuff inflation. Size, position, and depth of the endotracheal tube and cuff pressure, including volume used to inflate the cuff, should be recorded.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: A
Tidal volume usually is based on specific patient considerations but should ideally never result in a plateau pressure of 28 cm H2O or greater.