| Signal | Possible cause | Interventions |
|---|
| Low-pressure alarm | Tube disconnection | Reconnect tube to ventilator. |
| ET tube displaced | Check tube placement; reposition, if needed. If extubation or displacement has occurred, ventilate patient manually. Call doctor immediately. |
| Leaking tidal volume from low cuff pressure | Listen for whooshing sound around tube, indicating an air leak. If you hear one, check cuff pressure. If you can't maintain pressure, call doctor. |
| Ventilator malfunction | Disconnect patient from ventilator and ventilate manually, if necessary. Obtain another ventilator. |
| Leak in ventilator circuitry | Make sure all connections are intact. Check for holes or leaks in tubing. Check humidification jar and replace if cracked. |
| High-pressure alarm | Increased airway pressure or decreased lung compliance | Auscultate lungs for evidence of in-creasing lung consolidation, barotrauma, or wheezing. Call doctor if indicated. |
| Patient biting on oral ET tube | Insert bite block if needed. |
| Secretions in airway | Suction patient or have him cough. |
| Condensate in larger-bore tubing | Check tubing for condensate and remove any fluid. |
| Intubation of right main stem bronchus | Check tube position. If it has slipped, call doctor. |
| Patient coughing, gagging, or attempting to talk | If patient fights the ventilator, doctor may order sedative or neuromuscular blocking agent. |
| Chest wall resistance | Reposition patient to improve chest expansion. If repositioning doesn't help, administer prescribed analgesics. |
| Failure of high-pressure relief valve | Replace faulty equipment. |
| Bronchospasm | Assess for cause. Notify doctor. |