The respiratory therapist assists with elective intubation of a patient with myasthenia gravis in the ICU. While providing manual ventilation, the self-inflating resuscitation device becomes difficult to compress. Which of the following would the therapist do FIRST?
Read DetailsA 60-year-old male has just been extubated following coronary artery bypass grafting. His chest X-ray demonstrates platelike infiltrates with scattered densities, and he is noted to have decreased chest expansion with an increased respiratory rate. Which of the following treatments should be recommended for this patient?
Read DetailsThe respiratory therapist performs the quality control procedures for the blood gas analyzer in the NICU and notices a single data point that is 3 standard deviations from the mean value for the pH electrode. The respiratory therapist should:
Read DetailsA 42-year-old trauma patient in the ED has been intubated with a 6.5 mm oral endotracheal tube equipped with a high-residual-volume, low-pressure cuff. The respiratory therapist notes that a cuff pressure of 42 cm H2O is necessary to achieve a minimal occluding volume. This would indicate that the:
Read DetailsA 44-year-old patient who suffered a cerebral vascular accident has been moved from the Neuro-ICU to the step-down unit. He becomes diaphoretic and his SpO2 suddenly drops from 95% to 88% on a 32% tracheostomy collar. His heart rate is 115/min, RR is 42/min, and his breath sounds are very diminished. The respiratory therapist is unsuccessful in attempting to pass a 12 Fr suction catheter. The respiratory therapist should:
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