A pulse oximeter on a patient with a tracheostomy shows 89% saturation. The patient has a heated humidifier with a 40% air-entrainment tracheostomy collar
A rapid assessment shows no secretion production and equal breath sounds. Which of the fol-lowing is the most appropriate first step?
a. Increase the oxygen delivered through the flowmeter.
b. Increase the air-entrainment device to 60%.
c. Apply positive pressure with bag-valve ventilation.
d. Check to see whether water is collected in the gas-delivery tube.
ANS: D
The condensation collected in the gas-delivery tube must be removed because it becomes an ob-struction that disrupts gas and humidity delivery to the patient. The other choices disregard the simplest step, which should be taken first.
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