Which of the following is true concerning heat and moisture ...

[WWatsford]

Which of the following is true concerning heat and moisture exchangers?
 
  a. They are passover type A humidifiers.
  b. They might reduce the incidence of noso-comial infections.
  c. They are best-suited for long-term use on mechanical ventilators.
  d. They are able to provide a humidity output of 10 mg/L to 44 mg/L at 35 C.

Question 2

A patient has a heated air-entrainment large-volume jet nebulizer. The aerosol disappears com-pletely during each inspiration. The most-appropriate action to take is to:
 
  a. decrease the oxygen flow to the large-volume nebulizer.
  b. increase the oxygen flow to the large-volume nebulizer.
  c. decrease the heat level.
  d. remove the corrugated reservoir tubing.

[karlss]

Answer to Question 1

ANS: B
Heat and moisture exchangers might reduce the incidence of nosocomial infections. Passive hu-midifier heat and moisture exchangers have been successfully used to meet the short-term hu-midification needs of spontaneously breathing and mechanically ventilated patients with endo-tracheal and tracheostomy tubes. However, a heat and moisture exchanger is not a passover hu-midifier. The passover humidifier directs gas over a liquid or liquid-saturated surface. Heat and moisture exchanging filters have an increased internal surface area and are capable of providing moisture output in the range of 18 mg H2O/L to 28 mg H2O/L. According to the American Asso-ciation for Respiratory Care's Clinical Practice Guideline, heat and moisture exchangers should not be used for long-term humidification of patients who are receiving invasive mechanical ven-tilation.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: B
The aerosol should not completely disappear during inspiration. This means that the device is not meeting the needs of the patient. The oxygen flow can be increased without worry that the frac-tional inspired oxygen will increase, because the device uses air entrainment to set the oxygen concentration. This is the only answer that will increase the output of the device to meet the pa-tient's inspiratory needs.

[WWatsford]

Gracias!

[Alyson.hiatt@yahoo.com]

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