Troubleshooting Ventilators

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Ventilator Alarm Causes

Low Volume

When pt does not receive preset Vt

may be ventilator tubing disconnection, airway cuff leak or displacement, inc airway resistance, or dec lung compliance

High Volume

When there is an inc RR or Vt

due to pain, anxiety, hpoxemia or acidosis

Pressure

low pressure: ventilator disconnect or leak in system

high pressure: when amount of pressure needed to ventilate pt exceeds preset pressure. Can be d/t excessive secretions, biting, coughing, gagging, attempting to talk, pulm edema, bronchospasm, pneumothorax or hemothorax

Apnea

when there is no spontaneous respiration within a preset interval