Question

The nurse is caring for a child who has had an endotracheal tube placed and is hooked to a ventilator. When assessing the child, the nurse notes that they child is exhibiting signs of poor oxygenation. What should the nurse do? Select all that apply.

A. Assess tracheal tube placement.
B. Assess for the presence of decreased breath sounds on one side of the chest.
C. Assess for tracheal tube obstruction.
D. Assess the ventilator equipment, checking to see that all tubing is connected correctly.
E. Assess for decreased body temperature.

Answer 1

When a child on a ventilator exhibits signs of poor oxygenation, the nurse should check the endotracheal tube placement, assess if there is any obstruction, and examine the ventilator equipment for correct connection.

Step-by-step explanation:

When a nurse observes signs of poor oxygenation in a child who is connected to a ventilator with an endotracheal tube, there are several things they should do to assess the situation. These include:

1. Assess tracheal tube placement: The nurse should check if the endotracheal tube is properly positioned in the child's trachea.
2. Assess for tracheal tube obstruction: The nurse should ensure that the endotracheal tube is not obstructed, as this can interfere with proper oxygenation.
3. Assess the ventilator equipment: The nurse should examine the ventilator equipment to make sure all tubing is connected correctly, as any disconnection can affect oxygenation.