A nurse is caring for an adult patient receiving mechanical ventilation. The ventilator high-pressure alarm suddenly sounds. Which physiological or mechanical factor is a common cause of high-pressure ventilator alarms?

Answer and explanation

Correct answer: B. Endotracheal tube obstruction by secretions or biting the tube

  1. Step 1: High-pressure ventilator alarms trigger when peak inspiratory pressure exceeds the set safety limit.
  2. Step 2: Causes include increased airway resistance (bronchospasm, secretions in the tube, kinking of the circuit, patient biting the endotracheal tube) or decreased thoracic compliance (tension pneumothorax, pulmonary edema, patient fighting/coughing against the ventilator).
Answer
Endotracheal tube obstruction by secretions, kinking, or patient biting the tube.
Why not the others: 'Disconnection of the circuit' triggers a LOW-pressure alarm due to loss of resistance; 'Endotracheal tube cuff leak' causes low-pressure/low-volume alarms; 'Extubation' causes loss of circuit pressure, triggering low-pressure alarms.

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