Question

You are assessing an unresponsive patient known to have an implanted left ventricular assist device (LVAD). The patient is not breathing, the patient's skin is pale and cool, and capillary refill is inadequate. How do you assess whether the LVAD is functioning?

Answer 1

To assess the functioning of a LVAD in an unresponsive patient, you can check for signs of power failure, monitor the LVAD display screen, check the LVAD controller, listen for abnormal sounds, and monitor the patient's pulse.

Step-by-step explanation:

When assessing the functioning of a left ventricular assist device (LVAD) in an unresponsive patient, there are several steps that can be taken:

1. Check for any signs of power failure, such as a disconnected power cable or empty battery.
2. Monitor the LVAD display screen for any error messages or warnings.
3. Check the LVAD controller for any alarms or abnormal readings.
4. Listen for any abnormal sounds coming from the LVAD, such as clicking, humming, or whirring noises.
5. Check for any signs of blood flow by monitoring the patient's pulse.