Ventilator Tubing

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Hello. I borrowed notes from a friend. They said when a low pressure alarm is going off 2 common reasons are disconnection of main tubing and disconnection of the oxygen sensor tubing.

They state: Low pressure alarms are triggered by decreased resistance to airflow and can be caused by disconnections of the tubing (reconnect it), oxygen sensor tubing (reconnect it UNLESS tube is on the floor. Bag them and call RT if this happens)

So, is it true that when a low pressure alarm is going off, you check the tubing. If the tubing is disconnected, you reconnect it. But, if the oxygen sensor tubing is disconnected, you reconnect it. Unless it is on the floor, then you bag them and call RT?

I would think the tubing would be what you would not want to touch the floor, not the oxygen sensor tubing. Or is it the tubing in general?

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It is the tubing in general. If any part of the ventilator circuit (tubing) comes into contact with the floor, you would not reconnect it as it would be contaminated and an infection risk to the patient.

Generally speaking, if a low pressure alarm is going off it is *usually* because a leak has been created somewhere between the vent and the patient, so that would be the highest priority assessment in troubleshooting. Sometimes it is because a tube comes loose and disconnects, sometimes it is that the tubing comes loose and disconnects entirely from the patient's ETT or trach. Sometimes it is unrelated to the tubing/circuit.

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Great! Thank you so much for taking the time!!

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Specializes in Pediatric Critical Care.

The MOST important thing to remember: If you can't figure out where the leak/disconnection is right away, just bag the patient and THEN troubleshoot.

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