Author Question: Blood flow to the tracheal mucosa will become compromised if endotracheal tube cuff pressures are ... (Read 58 times)

TFauchery · **on:** Jul 16, 2018

Blood flow to the tracheal mucosa will become compromised if endotracheal tube cuff pressures are greater than ____ mm Hg.

a. 15 c. 25
b. 20 d. 30

Question 2

If breath sounds are not heard over the left lung after intubation, the most likely cause is which of the following?

a. An endotracheal tube that is not inserted far enough
b. Cuff not inflated enough
c. Left mainstem intubation
d. Right mainstem intubation

cloud · **Reply #1 on:** Jul 16, 2018

Answer to Question 1

ANS: C
Because of the flow characteristics of tracheal mucosal blood pressure, cuff pressure should be below 25 mm Hg to prevent tracheal ischemic damage. The acceptable range for cuff pressures is 20 to 25 mm Hg or 25 to 35 cm H2O.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: D
A common problem with endotracheal tubes is that they are either inserted too far or migrate too far into the trachea, so the cuff might obstruct a bronchus or only one lung might be ventilated. Right mainstem intubation is most common, especially in children, because not only is the angle of take-off of the right main bronchus less than that of the left, but the distance between the glottis and carina is quite small.