Ventilators and how they work

Nurses General Nursing

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If a patient's ventilator is alarming what could it be?

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Specializes in NICU.

High rate (is patient agitated, do they need more sedation?), Occlusion (is there a mucus plug, is there water in the tubing), Low Ve (is the suction catheter in the way of airflow--a mistake I've made a couple of times when starting out) are my most common alarms.

Why do you ask?

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Specializes in ED, ICU, Education.

Remember the pneumonic DOPE?

D - Disconnection

O - Obstruction

P - Pnemothorax

E - Equipment (failure)

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Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.

If you don't know call someone who does to check your patient!

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Utilize your RRTs to increase your depth of knowledge on this subject! I know in NICU we really work alongside our RRTs and they are an integral part of the team. However, ultimately the patient is YOUR responsibility. Ask tons of questions so that you're not reliant on the RRT and only use them to support your patient. When stuff hits the fan you want to be able to calmly identify the problem because you know everything about the vent and what could possibly be wrong.

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Are you asking because you visit someone who has a vent---and are concerned because you have heard it alarm?

I wouldn't think you'd be a nurse and ask this question...?

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If a patient's ventilator is alarming what could it be?
Not sure from your post exactly what your role is in the pts care, but here are a few suggestions....IMMEDIATELY check on any ventilator alarms and troubleshoot to find the cause. Don't just silence them and head back out of the room. The pt could be in distress and intervening early could prevent unnecessary complications. Educate yourself!! Whether by asking for suggestions/advice/tips from nurses or RT's or by taking time to read about ventilators and associated complications. There is a wealth of information out there, you just have to take the initiative to learn. Critically think about why the ventilator is alarming....is it a high or low pressure alarm? What is the pt doing; do they appear distressed, anxious or restless? Taking in the whole picture can help you determine the cause of the alarming. If you don't know and cannot figure out the reason for the alarming and the pt is becoming distressed or hypoxic, START BAGGING THE PT!!! Also call for help immediately so the problem can be identified and resolved. There are a multitude of reasons for the alarms, and if you are the pt's nurse, it is your responsibility to ensure that you have a reasonable understanding of the equipment you are working with. Be proactive and don't wait for problems to arise before you take the time to learn about how a machine works and the associated complications that may arise with its use. I've dealt with various situations in which my pt's ventilator alarms were going off:-the patient had a mucus plug at the end of the ETT and actually had to be extubated and reintubated with a new tube-the pt bit through the ETT, placing a hole in it-the ventilator tubing became disconnected (this can happen frequently with a pt who is under-sedated)-the pt self-extubated-the pt was biting on the ETT, thus occluding it-the ventilator settings were inappropriate for the pt-the alarm settings needed to be adjusted by the RT (this should only be done after ALL other possible causes have been ruled out)As you can see, there are many possible causes. Please understand that the pt's life is literally in your hands, and if you don't understand or cannot figure it out on your own, GET ASSISTANCE! And don't ignore ventilator alarms just because it's not "your pt". It's still a human being in that room that needs help. Hope this helps! :) Would like to hear more from you as far as your role, the situation you're referring to, etc.
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Not sure from your post exactly what your role is in the pts care, but here are a few suggestions....IMMEDIATELY check on any ventilator alarms and troubleshoot to find the cause. Don't just silence them and head back out of the room. The pt could be in distress and intervening early could prevent unnecessary complications. Educate yourself!! Whether by asking for suggestions/advice/tips from nurses or RT's or by taking time to read about ventilators and associated complications. There is a wealth of information out there, you just have to take the initiative to learn. Critically think about why the ventilator is alarming....is it a high or low pressure alarm? What is the pt doing; do they appear distressed, anxious or restless? Taking in the whole picture can help you determine the cause of the alarming. If you don't know and cannot figure out the reason for the alarming and the pt is becoming distressed or hypoxic, START BAGGING THE PT!!! Also call for help immediately so the problem can be identified and resolved. There are a multitude of reasons for the alarms, and if you are the pt's nurse, it is your responsibility to ensure that you have a reasonable understanding of the equipment you are working with. Be proactive and don't wait for problems to arise before you take the time to learn about how a machine works and the associated complications that may arise with its use. I've dealt with various situations in which my pt's ventilator alarms were going off:-the patient had a mucus plug at the end of the ETT and actually had to be extubated and reintubated with a new tube-the pt bit through the ETT, placing a hole in it-the ventilator tubing became disconnected (this can happen frequently with a pt who is under-sedated)-the pt self-extubated-the pt was biting on the ETT, thus occluding it-the ventilator settings were inappropriate for the pt-the alarm settings needed to be adjusted by the RT (this should only be done after ALL other possible causes have been ruled out)As you can see, there are many possible causes. Please understand that the pt's life is literally in your hands, and if you don't understand or cannot figure it out on your own, GET ASSISTANCE! And don't ignore ventilator alarms just because it's not "your pt". It's still a human being in that room that needs help. Hope this helps! :) Would like to hear more from you as far as your role, the situation you're referring to, etc.
I am sorry for the run-together post! I know it's hard to read. I tried breaking it into paragraphs when writing, but when I post it shows up in one big block. Any suggestions on what I might be doing wrong or how to insert breaks between paragraphs? Newbie, sorry!
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At this point I'm really REALLY hoping that these well-written posts (full of LOTS of good information) aren't going to be used by a visitor at a vent patient's bedside......my gut is telling me to worry.

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At this point I'm really REALLY hoping that these well-written posts (full of LOTS of good information) aren't going to be used by a visitor at a vent patient's bedside......my gut is telling me to worry.

You know, I didn't even think of that when replying to the original post. I really hope that is not the case.

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Your best resource is are the RT's on your unit. They are a wealth of knowledge on all things respiratory and can usually explain things in quick, easy to remember ways.

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Specializes in Hospital Education Coordinator.

I encourage you to contact your Educator and ask for someone from RT to give inservices on what the nurse should know. Our rule is call RT regardless

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