Author Question: Which maneuver will maintain air in the lungs at the end of inspiration, before the exhalation valve ... (Read 64 times)

Chelseaamend · **on:** Jul 16, 2018

Which maneuver will maintain air in the lungs at the end of inspiration, before the exhalation valve opens?

a. Pressure limit
b. Inspiratory hold
c. Expiratory hold
d. Expiratory resistance

Question 2

The respiratory therapist is called to a patient's room because the alarms are ringing. When the respiratory therapist arrives at the bedside, the high pressure limit, low exhaled tidal volume, and low exhaled minute volume alarms are active.

The cause of these alarms is which of the following?
a. Disconnection from the ventilator.
b. Critical leak in the ventilator circuit.
c. Lung compliance has improved.
d. Airway resistance has increased.

Ahnyah · **Reply #1 on:** Jul 16, 2018

Answer to Question 1

ANS: B
The inspiratory hold, inspiratory pause, or end-inspiratory pause is the maneuver that will main-tain air in the lungs and extend inspiration. Pressure limit allows pressure to rise but not exceed a pressure limit setting. Expiratory hold is the maneuver that will obtain the unintended positive end expiratory pressure (auto-PEEP) measurement. The ventilator pauses before delivering the next machine breath. Expiratory resistance is a resistance added to exhalation to mimic pursed-lip breathing.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: D
The low exhaled tidal volume and minute volume alarms are active when the high pressure limit alarm is active. This occurs because reaching the set high pressure limit setting will end inspiration immediately by pressure cycling and thereby will decrease the volume delivered to the patient. When the high pressure limit alarm is active for several breaths, the low exhaled tidal volume and then the minute ventilation alarms will become active. The high pressure alarm will sound when airway resistance is elevated (e.g., asthma). A disconnect from the ventilator or a critical leak would cause the low peak inspiratory pressure alarms to ring. Improved lung compliance will lower the peak inspiratory pressure and may trigger a low pressure alarm.