Chapter 17 RT daily duties in the ICU
The daily duties of a respiratory therapist start with receiving report from the RT assigned the previous shift, followed by walking rounds and a ventilator check. The ventilator is checked every 2 hours. Following the initial ventilator check, a ventilator assessment is performed. The ventilator assessment is performed once a shift at the beginning of the shift.
Ventilator setting check includes
- Ventilator mode
- FiO2
- Set tidal volume
- Ventilator rate
- PEEP
- Inspiratory time
- I:E Ratio
- Flow rate
- Inspiratory pause time
Ventilator parameters check includes
- Peak airway pressure
- Plateau pressure
- Mean airway pressure
- Spontaneous respiratory rate
- Inhaled tidal volume
- Exhaled tidal volume
- Minute volume
- Lung compliance
- Ventilator circuit temperature and humidity
- Filter check
Ventilator assessment includes
- Ambu bag with PEEP valve in place and face mask at bedside for
- emergent care
- Check alarms that are set and functioning for patient safety
- ETT placement
- Cuff pressures
- Listen to breath sounds
- Suction if needed
Respiratory medication review
- Dose and frequency
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