Medications
Respiratory Physiology/ABGS
Acute Respiratory Failure
ARDS
Endotracheal/tracheal tubes & Ventilators
100

1st line sedative

Action of medication 

One nursing care consideration 

Propofol- Rapidly acting hypnotic produces amnesia 

Nursing care considerations- 

- Dedicated line preferred 

- Change tubing and bottle q12hr 

100

Normal range for pH in ABGs 

7.35-7.45 

100

Hypercapnic, Hypoxemic or Both? 

Pneumonia 

Hypoxemic 

100

What is barotrauma? 

Too much pressure- popped lung 

100
How do you check correct tube placement? 

First assess etCO2 (End tidal CO2)- which allows you to know you are in trachea and not esophagus

Then assess bilateral breath sounds- ensure its not in the R mainstem 

CXR is ordered and obtained STAT 

200

What must be given with Cisatracurium (Nimbex) 

Must use Adjunctive Sedative (Propofol and Fentanyl) 

200

what is the V/Q mismatch for a shunt 

(Ventilation & perfusion= V/Q) 

Hypoventilation 

Hyperperfusion 

*Train Analogy- Circulation is present, trains are pulling into subway but no oxygen (People) to board due to platform being blocked (mucous) 

200

Hypercapnic, Hypoxemic or Both? 

ARDS 

Both 

200

What is Volutrauma? 

Too much volume- popped lung 

200

What is the difference between A/C, Pressure control and Pressure support ventilation? 

A/C is Assist control- patient is not breathing on their own, vent is preset to rate 

Pressure control- Set pressure and rate of breaths-used with ARDS 

Pressure support Ventilation- patient needs to be able to start each breath on their own. 

300

What is important to know about Cisatracurium (Nimbex) *Think Nursing Action* 

Medication will only paralyze patient does not sedate them. 

300

What is the V/Q mismatch for dead space 

(Ventilation & Perfusion = V/Q) 

Hypoperfusion 

Hyperventilation 

*Train analogy- Oxygen is present, people are coming in and out of train station but no circulation (trains) due to an obstruction (Clot) on the tracks 

300

Hypercapnic, Hypoxemic or Both? 

Brainstem injury 

Hypercapnic 

300
If FiO2 exceeds 60% for more than 48hours, what is the risk? 

Risk for O2 Toxicity 

300

What could a high pressure limit alarm signal? 

Low pressure limit? 

High pressure- fighting the tube, biting the tube, mucous/secretions 

Low pressure- Air leak (almost always) 

400

What are 2 main side effects of Dexmedetomidine (Precedex) 

Hypotension 

Bradycardia 

400

If PaO2 is 30mmhg what would the SaO2 be? 

If PaO2 is 60mmhg what would the SaO2 be? 

30mmhg = 60% SaO2 

60mmhg = 90% SaO2 

*30-60-90 rule 

400

What is an important factor in the overall outcome of someone in acute respiratory failure? 

Nutrional status 

400

What would the PaO2/FiO2 be with a patient diagnosed with ARDS? 

Less than 200 

400

When should perform mouth care/oral hygiene? 

mouth care q2hr 

Chlorhexidine swab/brush q12hr 

500

Side effects of Propofol 

*Decreased BP 

*Green Urine 

Decreased HR, Dysrhythmias, HA, seizures 

500

ABG Practice= 

1. pH 7.14, PCO2 42, PaO2 81, HCO3 18, Sats95% Lactate 6 

2. pH 7.28, PCO2 55, PaO2 58, HCO3 24, Sats 88% 

1. Metabolic Acidosis 

2. Respiratory Acidosis 

500

What can you do for a patient in acute respiratory failure? 

*Nursing care

Oxygen 

Positive pressure ventilation- noninvasive or invasive 

Mobilization of secretion- *Coughing is the goal 

Drug therapy 

500

What are the 3 stages of ARDs and when do you see them (Time frames) 

Stage 1- Injury or exudative phase (1-7days) 

Stage 2- Reparative or proliferative phase (1-2weeks) 

Stage 3- Fibrotic or chronic/late phase (2-3 weeks) 


500

When should you suction? and what should you do before and after suctioning? 

When should you notify provider regarding secretions? 

Suction to need not routine 

Provide Pre/post suction oxygenation w 100% O2 

Notify provider is secretion are bloody! 

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