Saunders Respiratory Practice

What should the nurse do first when the low-pressure alarm sounds on a ventilator?

1. Call the respiratory therapist

2. Ventilate the client manually

3. Check the ventilator settings

4. Assess the patient's vitals

The correct answer is: Ventilate the client manually

When the low-pressure alarm sounds on a ventilator, the most immediate action for the nurse is to ventilate the client manually. This is crucial because a low-pressure alarm typically indicates that there may be a disconnection in the ventilator circuit or a significant change in the patient’s respiratory status, such as an accidental extubation. Manually ventilating the patient ensures that they continue to receive oxygen until the cause of the alarm is identified and resolved, thereby maintaining effective ventilation and preventing potential hypoxia or respiratory distress. After establishing manual ventilation, the nurse can proceed to investigate the cause of the alarm by checking the ventilator settings, assessing the patient’s vital signs, or calling the respiratory therapist if needed. However, priority is given to providing adequate respiratory support immediately when the alarm indicates a potential threat to the patient’s airway and breathing.