A 49-kg female patient intubated with a size 7 mm ID endotracheal tube is being mechanically ventilated in the volume-controlled continuous mandatory ventilation (VC-CMV)mode.During patient rounds,both the low pressure and low volume alarms are sounding persistently on the ventilator.Upon observation of the patient,the respiratory therapist hears murmuring from the patient,with audible sounds during inspiration.The cause of this condition is which of the following?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

If a leak is present during a positive pressure breath,air can be heard escaping from the patient's mouth.If there is a large enough leak,the ventilator's low pressure and low volume alarms will sound.A circuit leak or disconnection would cause the low alarms to sound but not cause the leak around the endotracheal tube cuff.An incorrect endotracheal tube may cause a leak around the cuff.However,a size 7 mm ID is appropriate for this particular size patient.

A 49-Kg Female Patient Intubated with a Size 7 Mm