Ventilator Alarms Increased Rate - Patient is tiring on a weaning mode or experiencing pain/anxiety - Reassess WOB & provide analgesics/sedation - Consult RT/MD & consider adjusting mode/PS Apnea - Patient fails to take spontaneous breath within set interval (usually 20 seconds) - Reassess for over sedation & decrease PRN - Assess for tiring & consult RT/MD to adjust to full ventilation PRN Low Exhaled TV/MV - Patient tiring on weaning mode, ETT cuff orventilator circuit leak, Pressure limit reached in PC mode - Auscultate trachea for cuff leak, check pilot balloon, & add air PRN - Check circuit for leaks & tighten all connections - Consult RT/MD to increase RR in PC mode if MV is low High Pressure - Coughing, bronchospasms, secretions, pneumothroax, Biting on or kinking of the ETT, Excess water in ETT/circuit - Suction patient & remove excess water from tubes - Auscultate lungs & provide bronchodilators/order CXR PRN - Insert bite block & increase sedation PRN then reassess ETT Low Pressure - Cuff or circuit leak - Auscultate trachea for cuff leak, check pilot balloon, & add air PRN - Check circuit for leaks & tighten all connections Nurse Alyx @thenursealyx - http://covid19.epicclearning.ca/ #Ventilator #Alarms #MechanicalVentilation #Nursing #Differential #Diagnosis #Management
