The nurse is providing care to a patient who is intubated and receiving mechanical ventilation after a motor vehicle crash.The patient is fighting the ventilator and attempting to remove the endotracheal tube.Which nursing action decreases the patient's risk for developing respiratory alkalosis?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Administering a sedative will help the patient relax and decrease their urge to fight the ventilator, reducing the risk of developing respiratory alkalosis. Applying restraints or discussing removal of the endotracheal tube may increase the patient's anxiety and agitation, leading to further respiratory distress. Teaching slow, deep breathing would not address the immediate need to decrease the risk of respiratory alkalosis.

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