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/



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