A patient receiving mechanical ventilation is also being monitored with a pulse oximeter. The finger probe becomes disconnected, and the pulse oximeter starts to alarm. What level alarm is this situation considered to be?

A. Level 4
B. Level 3
C. Level 2
D. Level 1

?ANS: A
A. Correct response: Level 4 events are not a function of ventilator system malfunction, nor do they impact ventilator function. Alarm sites are only on the patient. Although many newer generation ventilators do not contain any such alarm system as an integral part of the ventilator's operation, these events can have significant clinical impact. However, these events are detected by alarms external to the ventilator and internal to the independent monitor itself. Such monitors as pulse oximeter, cardiac monitor, or blood gas analyzer are examples of external monitors with their own alarm systems.
B. Incorrect response: See explanation A.
C. Incorrect response: See explanation A.
D. Incorrect response: See explanation A.