PMV Safety
True or false: PMV's require the balloon to be inflated during use.
False. Cuffed tracheostomies should always have the balloon deflated while PMV is in use. This allows the patient to exhale (Passy Muir, 2016).
True or false: A patient with an SpO2 of 85% and accessory muscle use should continue to use a PMV.
False. Hypoxemia and increased work of breathing are reasons to end the PMV trial (Passy Muir, n.d.).
True or false: nebulizer treatments can be inhaled through PMV's.
False. Nebulizer treatments may clog the one-way valve. Rinse with sterile water and let air dry if this occurs (Passy Muir, n.d.).
True or false: PMV's help patients with tracheostomies speak.
True. PMV'S allow patients with tracheostomies speak by allowing exhaled air to pass through the vocal cords (How Does the Voice Box Work to Produce Sound?, 2025).
True or false: Anybody can start a PMV trial.
False. Only clinicians and family members trained on PMV use can start a PMV trial.
True or false: It is okay to leave a patient unattended when using the PMV for the first time.
False. Clinicians should closely monitor for signs of distress and intolerance when initially trialing the PMV (Passy Muir, n.d.).
True or false: It is safe to sleep with a PMV on.
False. PMV trials should be ended when the patient is sleeping (Passy Muir, n.d.). Consider a cap trial with a nasal cannula instead.
True or false: Excessive secretions through the patient's tracheostomy is a sign to use a PMV.
False. PMV use shouldn't be initiated with the presence of excessive secretions (Passy Muir, n.d.).
True or False: PMV's do not help patients cough.
False. PMV'S allow patient to cough by directing air through the trachea like someone without a tracheostomy (Passy Muir, 2016).
True or false: When patients use a PMV, they are able to exhale through their upper airways.
True. The one-way valve in a PMV directs exhaled air through the trachea, to the mouth or nose (Passy Muir, 2016).
True or false: Patients using a PMV should eat slowly and completely swallow before eating more food.
True. Aspiration is a risk during a PMV trial (Passy Muir, n.d.).
A patient who typically tolerates PMV trial is sitting up, hunched over. They say they can't breathe. Should the clinician end the PMV trial?
End the PMV trial. Ensure oxygen source is on and functioning. Get help.
A patient is unconscious, on a 40% aerosol trach mask. Vital signs are normal and the patient is breathing normally. True or false: A PMV trial should be started for this patient.
False. While the patient's respiratory status meets the criteria for PMV trial, the patient is unconscious. The PMV trial should not be started at this time (Passy Muir, n.d.).
True or false: PMV's improve tracheostomy patients quality of life.
True. PMV's help patients do basic functions involving the upper airways.
True or false: PMV's can be rinsed under sterile water and sit to air dry.
True. This is the recommended cleaning method (Passy Muir, n.d.).
A patient is on a 100% aerosol trach mask. They are rapid breathing and blue at the lips. Should a PMV trial be started?
No. The patient is demonstrating severe respiratory distress and the PMV should not be started.
True or false: PMV's can be used for patients on a ventilator.
True. There are PMV's specifically made for use in line with a ventilator (Passy Muir, n.d.).
A SpO2 reading of 77% with a poor pleth is displayed. True or false: The PMV trial should be ended.
True. End the PMV trial. Ensure O2 source is connected and assess pulse oximetry function.
True or false: PMV's help patients drink and eat.
True. PMV's help patients swallow better (Passy Muir, n.d.).
True or false: Patients are able to breathe in through a PMV.
True. PMV's have a one-way valve that opens when the patient breathes in (Passy Muir, 2016).
True or false: PMV's can be used with a cuffed trach.
True. Clinicians must ensure the cuff is deflated before PMV use (Passy Muir, n.d.).
A patient is awake and resting comfortably during a PMV trial. Vital signs are normal. Should the trial be continued?
Yes, the PMV trial should be continued. The patient is awake with no sign of distress.
A patient with a high heart rate and low blood pressure is using a PMV. True or false: It is okay to continue using the PMV since there are no respiratory symptoms.
False: Despite the patient not being in respiratory distress, the patients cardiovascular system is unstable. The PMV trial should be ended (Passy Muir, n.d.).
True or false: PMV's aid in steps to remove tracheostomies.
True. PMV use during waking hours is the step before around the clock capping.
True or false: When using a PMV on the ventilator, Noninvasive mode should be used.
True. Noninvasive mode should be utilized if using a PMV in line with a ventilator. Also ensure that <.60 FiO2, PEEP requirements of <10cm H2O, PIP less than 40cm H2O must be tolerated (Passy Muir, n.d.).