Author Question: A nurse is caring for a patient with sleep apnea. Which types of ventilator support should the nurse ... (Read 74 times)

genevieve1028 · **on:** Jul 22, 2018

A nurse is caring for a patient with sleep apnea. Which types of ventilator support should the nurse be prepared to administer for this patient? (Select all that apply.)

a. Assist-control (AC)
b. Pressure support ventilation (PSV)
c. Bilevel positive airway pressure (BiPAP)
d. Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP)
e. Synchronized intermittent mandatory ventilation (SIMV)

Question 2

The nurse is caring for a patient who needs oxygen via a nasal cannula. Which task can the nurse delegate to the nursing assistive personnel?

a. Applying the nasal cannula
b. Adjusting the oxygen flow
c. Assessing lung sounds
d. Setting up the oxygen

taylorsonier · **Reply #1 on:** Jul 22, 2018

Answer to Question 1

ANS: C, D
Ventilatory support is achieved using a variety of modes, including continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) and bilevel positive airway pressure (BiPAP). The purpose of CPAP and BiPAP is to maintain a positive airway pressure and improve alveolar ventilation. This prevents or treats atelectasis by inflating the alveoli, reducing pulmonary edema by forcing fluid out of the lungs back into circulation, and improving oxygenation in those with sleep apnea. AC, PSV, and SIMV are invasive mechanical ventilation and are not routinely used on patients with sleep apnea. AC delivers a set tidal volume (VT) with each breath, regardless of whether the breath was triggered by the patient or the ventilator. Synchronized intermittent mandatory ventilation like AC delivers a minimum number of fully assisted breaths per minute that are synchronized with the patient's respiratory effort. Any breaths taken between volume-cycled breaths are not assisted; the volume of these breaths is determined by the patient's strength, effort, and lung mechanics. PSV mode is often combined with SIMV mode: inspiratory pressure is added to spontaneous breaths to overcome the resistance of the endotracheal tube or to help increase the volume of the patient's spontaneous breaths.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: A
The skill of applying (not adjusting oxygen flow) a nasal cannula or oxygen mask can be delegated to nursing assistive personnel (NAP). The nurse is responsible for assessing the patient's respiratory system, response to oxygen therapy, and setup of oxygen therapy, including adjustment of oxygen flow rate.