During transport of a ventilated patient, the mechanical ventilator alarm sounds indicating high airway pressure. The patient's SpO2 begins to fall. Y...

Question

During transport of a ventilated patient, the mechanical ventilator alarm sounds indicating high airway pressure. The patient's SpO2 begins to fall. You disconnect the patient from the ventilator and attempt hand ventilation with a bag-valve via the ETT. The bag is very stiff and difficult to squeeze. What does difficult hand ventilation suggest about the cause of the high pressure alarm?

Accepted Answer

The problem is patient-related (bronchospasm, tension pneumothorax, tube obstruction) rather than ventilator-related

Answer

The problem is with the bag-valve device itself

Answer

The patient is fighting the ventilator and needs additional sedation only

Answer

The patient has a blocked endotracheal tube that needs suctioning only

Answer

The ETT cuff is overinflated

uk-dipimc MCQ (SBA): DOPE Mnemonic - High Airway Pressure