Ventilator basics for new RN

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Hi, I just got my first job on a unit that uses a lot of ventilators. 

What are some of the basics I NEED to know/understand about them? (I'm new to nursing, and have never used one before). The internet goes into a lot of detail about different modes, settings etc, and I want know what all an RN actually deals with when it comes to vents?

 

I appreciate any advise!

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Specializes in NICU, ICU, PICU, Academia.

Honestly, your best source of information is a respiratory therapist. They can explain all these things in simple terms- and then educate you to the finer points as you become a more experienced nurse. 99% of what I know about vents (and I've worked NICU, PICU, and Adult ICU) I know because of RTs. 

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Specializes in Physiology, CM, consulting, nsg edu, LNC, COB.

If you aren’t really comfortable with ABGs and pulmonary physiology, here’s your chance to get there. When you know the how and why of normal ventilation, you’ll be able to understand how using a mechanical device to support somebody who can’t do it himself yet is going to have to work. Only then is it going to be useful to learn about the different machines and modes.

Look for useful tutorials on ABG and acid/base on AN and Youtube. Keep looking around until you have an Aha! moment, as not all teaching materials are the same. 

I totally agree with MMJ on making RT your friends. Most of them love to teach. 

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Specializes in New Critical care NP, Critical care, Med-surg, LTC.

Keep it plugged in and connected! Just kidding, sort of, because that's really the most important but most basic thing about having patients on ventilators. As a nurse, you won't really be doing much else with vents many times, so understanding them is excellent, but in many places nurses are not responsible for anything else. My department has mostly great RTs that want to collaborate with us in all aspects of care, but we have a few "stay in your lane" RTs that do not want us touching their vents and are not as open to collaboration. 

You will quickly learn which alarms are the "high priority", basically a disconnection or a loss of patency, vs the alarms for a high respiratory rate or a high peak pressure, which may just indicate the patient is coughing or agitated. 

There are some fantastic Youtube videos out there. Medcram and ninja nerd science are a great place to start. Good luck with your new position!

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Specializes in Physiology, CM, consulting, nsg edu, LNC, COB.
On 7/6/2021 at 4:42 PM, JBMmom said:

You will quickly learn which alarms are the "high priority", basically a disconnection or a loss of patency, vs the alarms for a high respiratory rate or a high peak pressure, which may just indicate the patient is coughing or agitated. 

It’s also useful to know what the peak pressures are required to deliver a given volume of gases. If you notice them creeping up over time in an otherwise quiet patient, that tells you his lungs are getting stiffer and wet from increasing CHF or something else. You should notice that. 

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