The respiratory therapist is preparing to transport a patient on a 4-L/min nasal cannula from the oncology ward to the radiology department. The E cylinder used for transport contains 1500 psig. How long will the contents last running the cylinder down to 500 psig?

A 47-year-old patient tells the respiratory therapist that over the past 3 years he has developed a productive cough from December through March. This finding would suggest that he has

A patient rescued from a house fire is wearing a high flow nasal cannula with 10 L/min of oxygen because of suspected carbon monoxide poisoning. A standard pulse oximeter on the patient’s right index finger shows a SpO2 value of 99%. An arterial blood gas sample is obtained and sent to the laboratory for analysis on a blood gas analyzer and a CO-oximeter. Results from the analyzer are as follows: pH 7.25 PaCO2 35 torr PaO2 349 torr HCO3– 10 mEq/L BE –14 mEq/L SaO2 (calc) 100% Results from the CO-oximeter are as follows: O2Hb 80% COHb 18% MetHb 2% Which result(s) should be followed to best assess the patient’s clinical status?

After a patient is intubated, the CO2 detector on the proximal end of the ET tube reads 2%. Which of the following should the respiratory therapist do at this time?

A patient’s PaO2 is 80 torr on a nonrebreathing mask, but the patient complains he can’t tolerate wearing the mask. Which of the following should the respiratory therapist recommend?

A patient on a ventilator has become agitated and combative, and the high-pressure alarm is sounding with each breath. To paralyze the patient to prevent him from fighting the ventilator, the respiratory therapist should recommend which of the following medications?

After a patient inhaled hypertonic saline for a sputum induction procedure, he begins to wheeze. What should be done at this time?

Which is the best indicator that your needle is in the epidural space?

A 54-year-old patient enters the emergency department with mild chest pain and shortness of breath. Oxygen is started at 3 L/min per nasal cannula. The ABGs drawn 30 minutes later are as follows: pH 7.36 PaCO2 44 mm Hg PaO2 62 mm Hg HCO3 24 mEq/L BE 0 mEq/L The respiratory therapist should recommend which of the following?

The respiratory therapist is having difficulty suctioning secretions from an adult patient’s tracheostomy tube. The suction pressure is set at -80 mm Hg. Which of the following is the most appropriate action?