AH2 Respiratory Flashcards
The nurse assesses a client with a closed chest tube drainage system that is cracked. What should the nurse do?
Disconnect chest tube from the system and submerge the chest tube in a bottle of sterile saline in order to maintain the water seal. The system will then need to be replaced. A clamp should be kept at bedside in case the system needs to be changed. A nurse should NEVER clamp a chest tube without a written prescription from the HCP. The drainage system (chest tube and bottle of sterile water) should be kept below the level of the chest if this complication occurs.
what are NG tubes used for?
to intubate the stomach; removes fluids or gas to decompress stomach and promote comfort. alls surgical anastomoses to heal without distension; decrease risk of aspiration, administer meds to clients who cant swallow. to irrigate the stomach and remove toxic substances such as poison
A single lumen tube used to remove gastric contents via intermittent suction or to provide tube feedings
Levin tube
a double lumen NG tube with an air vent (pig tail) used for decompression with intermittent continuous suction
Salem Sump Tube
What is important to remember about the air vent in a Salem Sump Tube?
it should not be clamped and keep it above the level of the stomach. If leakage occurs through the air vent, instill 30 mL of air into the air vent and irrigate the main lumen with NS
When do you check residual volumes in an intubated patient?
q4h, before each feeding, and before giving meds
What amount of residual indicates you should hold the feeding?
more than 100mL due to increased risk for aspiration with levels above 100mL
What do you do before instilling anything through an NG tube?
aspirate stomach contents and test stomach pH (a pH of 3.5 or lower indicates that the tip of the tube is in a gastric location)
How often do you change the sterile dressing of surgically placed gastrostomy or jejunostomy tubes?
q8h
How often do you irrigate an NG tube?
q4h to assess and maintain patency of the tube
gently instill 30-50mL of water or NS with an irrigation syringe
What is the purpose of a cyclical feeding?
cyclical feeding is administered in the daytime or nighttime for approx 8-16 hours using an infusion pump. Feedings at night allow for more freedom during the day
What about bowel sounds and tube feeding?
hold feeding and notify HCP if no BS
If a client is comatose, how do you position them for a tube feeding?
high fowlers on right side
What position is a client in for continuous feeding?
semi-fowlers at all times
How often do you change the feeding container and tubing?
q24h
Do not hang more solution than required for what time period in order to reduce bacterial growth opportunity?
4hours
What do you do after administering a tube feeding?
flush tube with 30-50mL of water or NS using an irrigation syringe after a feeding
Cantor tube
single lumen intestinal tube
miller-abbott tube
double lumen intestinal tube
How do you remove an intestinal tube?
the tungsten weight is removed from the balloon portion of the tube with a syringe and the tube is gradually (6”qh) as prescribed by HCP
a triple lumen gastric tube with an inflatable esophageal balloon (compresses esophageal varices), an inflatable gastric balloon (applies pressure at the cardioesophageal junction), and a gastric aspiration lumen. A NG tube is also inserted in the opposite naris to collect secretions that accumulate above the esophageal balloon
Sengstaken-Blakemore tube
a four lumen gastric tube for aspirating esophagopharyngeal secretions
minnesota tube
What special consideration do you need to make with a minnesota gastric tube?
keep scissors at the bedside at all times and monitor pt for respiratory distress-if this occurs, cut the tubes to deflate the balloons
How do you prevent ulceration or necrosis of the esophaguss
release esophageal pressure at intervals as prescribed or by agency policy
Signs of esophageal rupture
decreased BP
increase HR
back and upper ab pain
this is an emergency-notify HCP immediately
What is the purpose of an endotracheal tube?
to maintain a patent airway and is indicated when a patient needs a mechanical airway
when is a tracheostomy performed?
when a client needs are artificial airway for longer than 10-14 days; a tracheostomy will prevent potential damage to the mucosal and vocal cords that can be cause by an endotracheal tube
What is proper placement on an xray of a respiratory system tube (orotracheal tube or nasotracheal tube)?
1-2 cm above the carina; assess placement by auscultating both sides of the chest while manually ventilating with a resuscitation bag; auscultate the stomach to rule out esophageal intubation-if tube is in the stomach, louder breath sounds will be heard over the stomach than over the chest and abdominal distention will be present
What special considerations must be made with an oral tube?
move the tube to the opposite side of the mouth with two HCP present daily to avoid necrosis of the lip and mouth area
How often do you monitor cuff pressures of trach tubes
q8h and ensure the pressure does not exceed 20 mm Hg to prevent injury or dip below 15 mm Hg to prevent aspiration
In a patient with a tracheostomy, what might bleeding, dyspnea, absence of breath sounds, and crepitus (subcutaneous emphysema) indicate?
hemorrhage or pneumothorax
What needs to always be available at bedside for a client with a tracheostomy?
ambu bag, obturator, clamps, and a spare tracheostomy tube, suction
Constant pressure exerted by the cuff causes tracheal dilation and erosion of cartilage
manifestations:
increased amt of air is required in the cuff to maintain a seal
a larger trach is required to prevent air leak at the stoma
food particles are seen in tracheal secretions
client does not receive the set tideal volume on the ventilaor
tracheomalacia
Narrowed tracheal lume is the resutl of scar formation from irritation of tracheal mucosa by the cuff manifested after the cuff is deflated or the trach tube is removed and the client has increased coughing, inability to expectorate secretions, or dyspnea
tracheal stenosis
excessive cuff pressure causes erosion of the posterior wall of the trachea. A hole is created between the trachea and the anterior esophagus. The client at highest risk also has a NG tube. manifestations are similar to a tracheomalaciaL food particles are seen in tracheal secretions, increaes air if cuff is needed to achieve a seal, clients coughs and may choke when eating, client does not receive set tidal volume on the ventilator
tracheoesophageal fistula
THis is a medical emergency; a malpositioned tube causes its distal tip to push against the lateral wall of the trachea. Continued pressure causes necrosis and erosion of the innominate artery. Manifestations: trach tube pulsates in synchrony with the heartbeat and there is heavy bleeding at the stoma.
trachea-innominate artery fistula
What do you do if a patient develops a trachea-innominate artery fistula?
remove trach tube immediately, apply direct pressure to the innominate artery at the stoma site and prepare the client for immediate repair surgery. To prevent, always use correct tube size and length, maintain the tube in midline position, prevent pulling or tugging of the tube, and immediately notify HCP of a pulsating tube
What does excessive bubbling in the water seal chamber of a chest tube drainage system indicate?
an air leak in the chest tube drainage system; notify HCP
what does gentle bubbling in the suction control chamber of a chest tube drainage system indicate?
that there is suction and does NOT indicate that there is air escaping from the pleural space; vigorous bubbling in the suction control chamber is worrisome
When do you notify HCP with regard to chest tube drainage system?
when drainage is more than 100 mL/hr or if drainage becomes bright red or increases suddenly
Why might flucuation of the water seal chamber stop?
if tube is obstructed, a dependent loop exists, suction is not working properly, or the lung has reexpanded
What must be kept at bedside for a patient with a chest tube drainage system?
clamp and a sterile occlusive dressing
What instruction do you give a client when removing a chest tube?
perform valsalva maneuver (deep breath, exhale, bear down); the tube is quickly withdrawn, and an air tight dressing is taped in place. Client may also take a deep breath and hold it while the tube is removed.
indicates airway edema and places the client at risk for airway obstruction
stridor-call HCP (high pitched, coarse sound heard with the stethoscope over the trachea)
What are three numbers to know regarding pulse ox?
less than 91% call HCP
less than 85% oxygenation of the tissues is compromised
less than 70% is life-threatening
client instructions for IS
inhale slowly to raise and maintain the flow rate indicator between the 600 and 900 marks. hold breath for 5 seconds and then exhale through pursed lips
causes of high pressure ventilator alarms
increased secretions are in the airway wheezing or bronchospasm is causing decreased airway size the tube is displaced tube is obstructed by water or a kink client fights ventilator
causes of low pressure ventilator alarms
disconnection or leak in the ventilator or in the client’s aircuff occurs
the client stops spontaneous breathing
positive pressure complications
hypotension, pneumothorax, crepitus
paradoxical respirations
flail chest
prepare for intubation with PEEP
what is the major complication of pulmonary contusion?
ARDS
accumulation of atmospheric air in the pleural space, which results in a rise in intrathoracic pressure and reduced vital capacity; leads to collapsed lung; breath sounds are absent on affected side; decreased chest expansion unilaterally; crepitus; sucking sound with an open chest wound
pneumothorax
tracheal deviation to the unaffected side
tension pneumothorax
interventions for pneumothorax
apply a nonporous dressing over an open chest wound
administer oxygen
Fowlers
prepare for chest tube placement
causes include sepsis, fluid overload, shock, trauma, neurological injuries, burns, DIC, drug ingestion, aspiration, and inhalation of toxic substances
ARDS
hypoxemia despite high concentrations of delivered oxygen; pulmonary infiltrates
ARDS
How do you diagnose pneumonia?
sputum culture
WBC and ESR are elevated too
the collection of fluid in the pleural space
pleural effusion; prepare client for thoracentesis
surgically stripping the parietal pleura away from the visceral pleura to produce an intense inflammatory reaction that promotes adhesion formation between the two layers during healing
Pleurectomy: treatment for recurrent pleural effusion
instillation of a sclerosing substance into the pleural space via a thoracotomy tube to create an inflammatory response that scleroses tissue together
pleurodesis: treatment for recurrent pleural effusion
collection of pus within the pleural cavity; most commonly caused by pulmonary infection and lung abscess caused by thoracic surgery or chest trauma, in which bacteria are introduced directly into the pleural space
empyema
inflammation of the visceral and parietal membranes so that they rub together during respiration and cause pain; may be caused by pulmonary infarction or pneumonia
pleurisy
less than 200 mm Hg indicates ARDS; normal is greater than 300 mm Hg
PaO2/FiO2
What instruction do you give a patient with pleurisy?
lie on AFFECTED side to splint the chest
occurs when a thrombus forms (most commonly in a deep vein), detaches, travels to the right side of the heart, and then lodges in a branch of the pulmonary artery
pulmonary embolism
risk factors for pulmonary embolism
those at risk for DVT: prolonged immobilization, surgery, obesity, pregnancy, heart failure, advanced age, or a history of thromoboembolism
apprehension and restlessness, blood-tinged sputum, chest pain, cough, crackles and wheezes on auscultation, cyanosis, distended neck veins, dyspnea with anginal and pleuritic pain that is exacerbated by inspiration; feeling of impending doom, hypotension, petechiae over the chest and axilla, shallow respirations, tachypnea and tachycardia
assessment findings: pulmonary embolism
how long must someone be on meds before risk of transmitting TB is reduced greatly?
2-3 weeks of TB meds; but overall therapy lasts 6-12 months; when three sputum cultures are negative, patient is no longer infectious (cultures are taken every 2-4 weeks once meds have been started)
What’s the relationship between the bacille Calmette-Guerin vaccine and TB?
patients who have had a bacille Calmette-Guerin vaccine will have a positive TB skin test result and should be evaluation for TB with a chest x-ray