A patient with a closed head injury has had a cuffed tracheo…

A patient with a closed head injury has had a cuffed tracheostomy tube in place for several weeks. The physician wishes to decannulate the patient but maintain the patency of the stoma for secretion removal. Which of the following devices would facilitate this request?

The high pressure alarm sounds frequently on the ventilator…

The high pressure alarm sounds frequently on the ventilator of a 58-year-old patient who is being mechanically ventilated following a major orthopedic surgery. The mandatory rate on the ventilator is 12/min and auscultation reveals bilateral vesicular breath sounds. Current vital signs include: HR 130/min, RR 36/min, blood pressure 125/88 mmHg, Temperature 37.1 degrees Celsius, and SpO2 96%. The patient appears quite agitated. The patient’s respiratory pattern is most likely the result of: 

A 60-year-old male has just been extubated following coronar…

A 60-year-old male has just been extubated following coronary artery bypass grafting. His chest X-ray demonstrates platelike infiltrates with scattered densities, and he is noted to have decreased chest expansion with an increased respiratory rate. Which of the following treatments should be recommended for this patient?  

A 44-year-old patient who suffered a cerebral vascular accid…

A 44-year-old patient who suffered a cerebral vascular accident has been moved from the Neuro-ICU to the step-down unit. He becomes diaphoretic and his SpO2 suddenly drops from 95% to 88% on a 32% tracheostomy collar. His heart rate is 115/min, RR is 42/min, and his breath sounds are very diminished. The respiratory therapist is unsuccessful in attempting to pass a 12 Fr suction catheter. The respiratory therapist should: