A patient with pulmonary fibrosis comes to the emergency ...

[809779]

A patient with pulmonary fibrosis comes to the emergency department with an SpO2 of 87 and a respiratory rate of 28 breaths/min. The patient is unsure whether her transtracheal catheter is working properly; what is your first action?
 
  a. Intubate her. c. Place a nasal can-nula on her.
  b. Examine her for a mucus plug. d. Place a lavage cath-eter.

Question 2

The benefits of a transtracheal catheter include which of the following?
 
  1. Lower flows are needed to obtain higher SpO2
  2. The ability for the patient to eventually wean off of O2.
  3. Improved self-image of the patient.
  4. Oxygen cost savings of up to 60.
  a. 2 and 4 c. 1, 3, and 4
  b. 1 and 3 d. 1, 2, 3, and 4

[Silverbeard98]

Answer to Question 1

ANS: C
The therapist should think to place the patient on O2 to maintain her oxygenation status. Once the oxygen is running and the patient is breathing well, the therapist can examine the catheter for ob-structions.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: C
The guiding principle for transtracheal oxygen is that the oxygen is delivered directly into the trachea, which provides the patient with adequate oxygen while reducing the amount of oxygen used. This reduces dilution with room air on inspiration. Consequently, lower oxygen flows from the source gas are required to achieve the desired arterial oxygen saturation (SaO2) with a cost savings of up to 60.