A respiratory therapist is evaluation a patient

/in /by

A respiratory therapist is evaluation a patient who weighs 130 kg (298 lb.) and is receiving mechanical ventilation. A 7.0 mm ID endotracheal tube appropriately placed. Bilateral breath sounds are decreased. The low exhaled tidal and minute volume alarm have been sounding. After adding 15 mL of air to the cuff, the pressure is 5 mm Hg. Which of the following should the therapist do?

  • Place 20 mL of air into the cuff
  • Replace the endotracheal tube
  • Increase the tidal volume setting
  • Decrease alarm thresholds