1250 Module 5 Review

Complications that arise from the use of humidification systems include:

• Decreased total cost of equipment
• Infection risk to patients and caregivers
• Increased total gas through the circuit
• Airway dryness

A patient in the hospital is utilizing a manual large reservoir system to humidify the air from a CPAP machine. This humidifier should be refilled with:

• Sterile water
• Tap water
• 3% hypertonic saline
• Albuterol

Current AARC Clinical Practice Guidelines recommend a targeted temperature of approximately __________ +/- 2°C.

• 33°C
• 40°C
• 30°C
• 20°C

Heat and moisture exchangers:

• Can produce "rainout" in the circuit
• Capture exhaled heat and humidity, returning up to 70% back to the patient during the next inspiration
• Do not add any mechanical deadspace
• Can produce aerosols and are an infection risk

Which of the following humidification systems poses a risk of infection due to droplet production when operating at higher flow rates?

• Bubble humidifiers
• Wick humidifiers
• Membrane humidifiers
• Heat and moisture exchangers (HME)

You are assisting your preceptor with O2 rounds and assess a patient with an SpO2 of 88% on a nasal cannula at 4 lpm, without humidification. Your preceptor decides to increase the O2 flow and asks you to get them a humidification device for the patient's nasal cannula. You would acquire a/an:

• Bubble humidifier
• Air-entrainment nebulizer (AEN)
• Large volume nebulizer (LVN)
• Heat and moisture exchanger (HME)

A Respiratory Therapy Student is assisting with the preparation of a mechanical ventilator for a patient. While assembling the ventilator circuit, the student's clinical instructor asks, "Which passive humidifier should be placed in-line with the ventilator circuit to heat and humidify the patient's inspired air?" The student should respond with a/an:

• Heat and moisture exchanger (HME)
• Bubble humidifier
• Passover humidifier
• Wick humidifier

A Respiratory Therapist is preparing to administer humidified oxygen to a patient. Which action will result in the medical gas being able to hold a higher water content, thereby increasing its ability to provide humidification to the patient?

• Increase the temperature of the sterile water that is being aerosolized
• Decrease the surface area between the sterile water and the gas
• Decrease the contact time between the sterile water and the gas
• Increase the flow rate of the gas as it passes over the surface of the sterile water

Which of the following are signs and symptoms of inadequate airway humidification?

• Patient complains of airway dryness
• Patient states they feel like they aren't getting any air.
• Thin, loose secretions
• Wet, productive cough

A patient is receiving continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy for sleep apnea. Which of the following humidification devices is commonly used with CPAP to prevent airway dryness and discomfort?

• Bubble humidifier
• Heat and moisture exchanger (HME)
• Passover humidifier
• Wick humidifier