A patient with a tracheal airway exhibits severe respiratory ...

[HudsonKB16]

A patient with a tracheal airway exhibits severe respiratory distress. On quick examination, you notice the complete absence of breath sounds and no gas flowing through the airway. What is most likely the problem?
 
  a. Partial tube obstruction
  b. Right-sided pneumothorax
  c. Complete tube obstruction
  d. Vocal cord paralysis

Question 2

After determining a patient has a complete obstruction of an oral endotracheal tube, your efforts to relieve the obstruction by moving the patient's head and neck and deflating the cuff both fail. What should be your next step?
 
  a. Immediately extubate the patient.
  b. Try to pass a suction catheter.
  c. Call for an emergency tracheotomy.
  d. Apply manual positive pressure.

[Fayaz00962]

Answer to Question 1

ANS: C
With complete tube obstruction, the patient will exhibit severe distress, no breath sounds will be heard, and there will be no gas flow through the tube.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: A
If you cannot clear the obstruction by using the above techniques, you must remove the airway and replace it.