Respiratory Care and Oxygenation Flashcards
7 cards from real LPN practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Respiratory Care and Oxygenation flashcards as text
An intubated patient's ventilator alarm sounds, showing high peak airway pressure. What should the LPN do first?
Answer: Assess the patient and check tubing for kinks or obstruction
A high-pressure alarm may indicate secretions, patient biting the tube, tubing kinks, or bronchospasm; the LPN must first assess the patient and check for tubing issues.
Which intervention is most effective for preventing ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) in an intubated patient?
Answer: Maintaining head of bed elevation at 30-45 degrees
Elevating the head of bed 30-45 degrees reduces aspiration of oropharyngeal secretions, which is the primary mechanism by which VAP develops.
After a thoracentesis, which assessment finding requires the LPN to report immediately to the physician?
Answer: Sudden onset of dyspnea and tracheal deviation
Sudden dyspnea and tracheal deviation after thoracentesis may indicate tension pneumothorax, a life-threatening emergency requiring immediate intervention.
Which technique describes correct use of incentive spirometry?
Answer: Inhale slowly and deeply, hold breath 3-5 seconds, then exhale slowly
Correct incentive spirometry requires slow, deep inhalation to expand alveoli, a 3-5 second breath hold to maintain alveolar expansion, then slow exhalation.
A patient has a chest tube connected to water-seal drainage. The LPN notices the water level in the water-seal chamber fluctuates with each breath. What does this indicate?
Answer: Normal functioning of the water-seal drainage system
Fluctuation (tidaling) in the water-seal chamber with respiration is normal and confirms the system is patent; tidaling stops when the lung fully expands.
After a tracheostomy tube change, what is the correct cuff pressure range to prevent aspiration while avoiding tracheal tissue ischemia?
Answer: 20-25 mmHg
Tracheostomy cuff pressure should be maintained at 20-25 mmHg to create an adequate seal preventing aspiration while avoiding excessive pressure that causes tracheal mucosal ischemia.
A patient with pulmonary edema receives IV furosemide (Lasix). Which finding best confirms the medication is effective?
Answer: Improved SpO2 and decreased crackles on auscultation
Furosemide reduces excess pulmonary fluid through diuresis; effectiveness is confirmed by improved SpO2 and decreased crackles as fluid clears from the alveoli.