What are some tasks in a vent room?

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Hello all. I recently got my RN license (nrsg school 2001-long story)but worked as a PCT on a Telemetry floor about 8 years ago. I am currently doing nurse refresher to update some skills. The problem is I do not remember all I used to do for these patients. They were patients on ventilators and the most I could remember is helping the nurse change them, feed and of course listen out for the ventilator machine. Is anyone able to provide some of the tasks that a PCT would do in a vent room? Thank you for your input.

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Specializes in PICU.

Be very careful around the vent and connected tubing. Are we talking trached vent patients? They may teach you trach care. If you ever hear/see the vent tubing disconnected, reconnect immediately and/or yell for help.

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

If you are caring for vent pts as an RN, you MUST be totally familiar with the vent, vent settings, how to manage a compromised airway. Its not about tasks at all - that is for the PCT/CNA. As the RN, you need to be able to troubleshoot the vent, know the ABG values of the pts, the rest of the medical history, what IVs/tube feedings, pressor support the patient is on, etc.

Its just not about tasks.

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Specializes in CVICU.

Well...

If the pt. is sedated, the nurse will definitely need help turning for purposes of skin integrity, pulmonary toilet, and peri/foley care. Radiology usually appreciates help with getting the board underneath these pts. for bedside xrays as well..sometimes even traveling to ct and other areas of radiology with the nurse because of how much equipment there is to manage throughout the trip and during the transfers involved.

Hourly or q2hr duties may include gathering objective observations like temperatures and urine outputs and reporting them to the nurse. Oral care can be performed by a pct using tools such as the q2 kit, but don't touch the vent circuit if you aren't comfortable with what to do should it become disconnected. Procuring a stool or urine sample might also be a task performed by the pct. Manipulating surgical drains is at the discretion of the nurse based on their complexity and risk for infection, etc. Some pcts draw blood both by needle and sometimes even via the art line if they are certified within their facility to do so.

Be proficient with bls in areas like these as you are liable to be at the bedside in the event of an arrest!

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

http://lmgtfy.com/?q=nursing+cae+of+the+ventilated+patient

:)

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Specializes in Critical Care, Education.

LOL - I know it is completely off topic, but when I saw the title to this thread I immediately got a visual. . . a padded, sound-proof room set aside for nurses to yell & scream. And then I realized that maybe this would be a really great staff benefit for nurses in just about any patient care environment these days.

Just had to share. . .

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Thanks to you all for your input. All that was mentioned has given me a chance to look back and think abotu what I used to do and what I will have to do as an RN. Thank YOu!!!

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In my experience, I must say the most important rule in working with vent-dependent patients is to treat the PATIENT- not the machine! Most of the time it is just tubing connection issues, but it is imperative that the RN be able to troubleshoot to discover what is really going on. As said previously, it is vital to be capable of managing a compromised airway, and being familiar with "bagging" patients is also extremely helpful. Current ABG values are always helpful to know. Vents can be nerve-racking, but they are great experience for any nurse!! Good luck!

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For CNA/PCT/RN, be mindful of the circuit. No heavy lines or wires should be on top of it such as the call bell cable. The weight of the circuit should be neutral to prevent tearing of the stoma or decannulation if trached or an unplanned extubation of an ETT.

Make sure trach is miidline to prevent tearing of stoma and pressure against tracheal wall.

Support the circuit and airway when turning.

Check breath sounds or chest rise, airway security and ventilator function after you have finished turning.

The circuit should not be placed under a blanket. Heated wire circuits can leave nasty mark on sedated or paralyzed patients.

Check for disconnects starting with the patient first and then work your way back to the machine. If the patient is in distress, use the bag at beside.

Make sure emergency equipment is at bedside including a BVM, spare trachs and suction catheters. Lubricants and a syringe will also be left at beside by the Respiratory therapists.

Learn the alarms and learn how to reset the alarms after you have checked the patient or finished turning them.

Never walk away from the bedside if you have just silenced the alarm just as you wouldn't for any monitor.

Look at the patient and communicate all procedures with them even if they do not appear responsive.

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