Adult Critical Care Specialty (ACCS) Practice Exam

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Prepare for the Adult Critical Care Specialty Test. Review with multiple-choice questions, each providing hints and explanations. Gear up for your certification exam!

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What should be done for patients who are mechanically ventilated and present with air leaks?

Increase airway pressure settings
Change the ventilation mode
Switch to a different ventilator
Assess for cuff integrity

The correct answer is: Assess for cuff integrity

For patients who are mechanically ventilated and show signs of air leaks, assessing for cuff integrity is crucial. The cuff, which is part of the endotracheal tube, is designed to create a seal in the trachea to ensure that air delivered by the ventilator does not escape. If the cuff is defective, improperly inflated, or the tube is mispositioned, it can lead to air leaks that compromise effective ventilation. A proper assessment of cuff integrity involves checking that the cuff is adequately inflated and not allowing air to escape around the tube. This can help determine whether the leak is due to a defective cuff or other issues related to the airway management. If the cuff is not functioning properly, re-inflating it or replacing the endotracheal tube may be necessary to restore appropriate ventilation. Addressing cuff problems effectively will directly impact the patient's oxygenation and ventilation status. The other options, such as increasing airway pressure settings, changing the ventilation mode, or switching to a different ventilator, may not resolve the underlying issue of air leaks related to cuff integrity and could lead to unnecessary complications or adjustments that do not address the immediate problem.