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You are ventilating an asthma patient, and despite your best efforts, the patient's condition seems to be getting worse. Which of the following is the BEST indicator of effective ventilations?

A. The patient becomes quiet and stops breathing on his own.
B. The patient's stomach begins expanding with ventilations.
C. The patient's color changes from cyanotic to mottled.
D. The patient's chest rises and falls with ventilations.

Answer :

Final answer:

The best indicator of effective ventilations in an asthma patient is when the patient's chest rises and falls during ventilations, showing that air is reaching the lungs properly. Other signs, such as quietness or stomach expansion, do not accurately indicate effectiveness. Observing chest movement is essential for confirming proper ventilation.


Explanation:

Understanding Effective Ventilation in Asthma Patients

When ventilating an asthma patient and noting that their condition is deteriorating, it is crucial to identify the best indicator of effective ventilations. Among the options provided, the best indicator is the patient's chest rising and falling with ventilations. This response indicates that air is entering the lungs adequately, allowing for gas exchange, which is essential for the patient's oxygenation.

Other options, while relevant, do not accurately reflect the effectiveness of the ventilation:

  • If the patient becomes quiet and stops breathing on his own, it may indicate respiratory fatigue or failure, not effective ventilation.
  • Stomach expansion during ventilations may suggest improper technique leading to air entering the stomach instead of the lungs, which can cause complications.
  • A change in color from cyanotic to mottled does not necessarily signify improvement and may indicate worsening circulation or oxygenation status.

Thus, monitoring chest rise and fall during ventilation is the most reliable method to assess if your efforts are successfully delivering air to the lungs during an asthma attack.


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