A 68-kg (150-lb) man with severe emphysema arrives in the emergency department with shortness of breath and is placed on a 28% air entrainment mask. ABG samples are drawn and the results are as follows: pH 7.34 PaCO2 82 mm Hg PaO2 43 mm Hg HCO3 40 mEq/L BE +14 mEq/L On the basis of this information, which of the following ABG levels should the respiratory therapist be most concerned about?
Read DetailsThe physician writes an order for a patient to receive 15 L/min of an 80:20 helium-O2 mixture from a premixed heliox cylinder via a nonrebreathing mask. For the patient to receive this flow through an O2 flow meter, the flow must be set at approximately which of the following?
Read DetailsAn intubated ICU patient is receiving 35% oxygen with aerosol through a Briggs adapter. It is noticed that each time the patient inhales, the mist disappears from the end of the T-piece. Corrective action would include all of the following: 1. Increase the oxygen percentage through the nebulizer. 2. Increase the oxygen flow to the nebulizer. 3. Add 100 mL of reservoir tubing to the T-piece.
Read DetailsA patient has been receiving an aerosolized bronchodilator through a handheld nebulizer over the past day. Which of the following would a respiratory therapist recommend to minimize the risk of her getting a nosocomial infection? 1. Add a broad-spectrum antibiotic to the nebulizer with each treatment. 2. Change the handheld nebulizer and mouthpiece every 24 hours. 3. Discard medications and saline solution 24 hours after opening. 4. Respiratory therapists should wash their hands before giving a treatment.
Read Details