Alarms

Question 1

What are the 3 types of alarms in ventilators?

Answer 1

input alarm
control circuit
output alarm

Question 2

What are 3 types of input alarms?

Answer 2

gas
-> o2, air
electrical
battery

Question 3

What are 2 types of control circuit alarm?

Answer 3

microprocessor malfunction

mechanical valve malfunction

Question 4

What is the output alarms?

Answer 4

related to patient settings and monitoring

• ->pressure
• ->volumes
• ->fio2
• ->frequency
• ->apnea

Question 5

what are 2 ways that the alarms are set?

Answer 5

1. manufacturer default setting
   - -> set by an algorithms within the microprocessor
2. set by operator
   - -> alarm setting set according to patient and clinical picture

Question 6

How is alarm presented in the ventilator?

Answer 6

1. audible
2. visual
   - ->color
   - ->fleshing
3. hierarchical alarms
4. message windows
5. alarm reset
6. silence

Question 7

What cause high pressure output alarm to go off?

Answer 7

• when there is increase resistant in the circuit caused by:

1. mucus plug
2. patient cough
3. bronchospasm
4. swelling of airway

Question 8

What causes low pressure output alarm to go off?

Answer 8

• Caused by leakage in circuit
• disconnection between the ETT, TT and patient circuit
• pt trigger (cause negative pressure)
• leak around the cuff

Question 9

What happen to PB840 if there is severe occlusion of the circuit ?

Answer 9

• occlusion can override the high pressure alarm
• ->vent will open safety and exhalation valve*(for patient to draw room air)
• ->cycle to peep

Question 10

What is the apnea setting in PB840

Answer 10

• typical 20 - 30 sec for adult

- -> if pt trigger for at least 1/2 of set Vt for 2 breaths, it will satisfy the alarm