Question

A nurse is caring for a client who is receiving mechanical ventilation when the low pressure alarm sounds. Which of the following situations should the nurse recognize as the possible cause of the alarm?

A. Artificial airway cuff leak- An artificial airway cuff leak interferes with oxygenation and causes the low pressure alarm to sound.

B. An excess of secretions in the airway causes the high pressure alarm to sound.

C. Kinks in the tubing can cause an obstruction, which causes the high pressure alarm to sound.

D. Biting on the endotracheal tube causes the high pressure alarm to sound.

Answer 1

The possible cause of the low pressure alarm in a client receiving mechanical ventilation is an artificial airway cuff leak, which interferes with oxygenation and causes a decrease in airway pressure.

Step-by-step explanation:

The nurse should recognize artificial airway cuff leak (option A) as the possible cause of the low pressure alarm.

When the artificial airway cuff leaks, it interferes with oxygenation, causing a decrease in airway pressure. This triggers the low pressure alarm on the mechanical ventilation machine.

Other options such as excess secretions in the airway (option B), kinks in the tubing (option C), and biting on the endotracheal tube (option D) typically cause increased airway pressure, triggering the high pressure alarm.