The respiratory therapist in the intensive care unit (ICU) responds to a patient's room because the ventilator is alarming. The most appropriate immediate action is which of the following?
a. Replace the ventilator immediately.
b. Silence the alarms and call for help.
c. Ensure the patient is being ventilated.
d. Troubleshoot the alarm settings.
ANS: C
When a ventilator alarm rings, the respiratory therapist (RT) must first ensure that the patient is being ventilated. If the RT doubts this, the patient should be disconnected from the ventilator and ventilated using a manual resuscitation bag. The RT should silence the alarms at that time and call for help.
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