Question

The nurse educator is evaluating the performance of a new registered nurse (RN) who is providing care to a patient who is receiving mechanical ventilation with 15 cm H2O of peak end-expiratory pressure (PEEP). Which action indicates that the new RN is safe?

a. The RN plans to suction the patient every 1 to 2 hours.
b. The RN uses a closed-suction technique to suction the patient.
c. The RN tapes the connection between the ventilator tubing and the ET.
d. The RN changes the ventilator circuit tubing routinely every 48 hours.

Answer 1

The action that indicates the new RN is safe is using a closed-suction technique to suction the patient. This method reduces the risk of ventilator-associated pneumonia and minimizes contamination.

Step-by-step explanation:

The action that indicates the new RN is safe is b. The RN uses a closed-suction technique to suction the patient. Closed-suction technique is a safe method of suctioning mechanically ventilated patients because it reduces the risk of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) and minimizes the potential for contamination. It involves using a closed-system suction catheter that is enclosed in a sheath, which helps maintain a closed circuit while suctioning.