The first step in the assessment and documentation of patient-ventilator interaction following placement of a patient on a mechanical ventilator is which of the following?

a. Verifying physician's orders.
b. Verifying a passing operational verifica-tion procedure.
c. Checking the integrity of the ventilator circuit and the humidifier system.
d. Assessment of the patient's vital signs, breath sounds, and level of consciousness.

ANS: A
The first step in the process of assessment and documentation of patient-ventilator interaction after a patient has been placed on a mechanical ventilator involves the respiratory therapist veri-fying the physician's orders. The second step is to verify that the ventilator passed an operational verification procedure (OVP). The OVP involves checking the integrity of the ventilator circuit and the humidification system. The patient assessment is performed during the patient-ventilator system check.