Cough Reflex Test (CRT) Practice

When a ventilator high-pressure alarm sounds for a patient with a tracheostomy tube and there are no secretions evident, repositioning the tracheostomy tube into the trachea is an appropriate action. This situation could be caused by an improper fit or a malposition of the tracheostomy tube, which can lead to increased resistance and, subsequently, trigger a high-pressure alarm. Redirecting the tube ensures that the airway is properly aligned and open for ventilation.

While increasing the ventilator pressure settings may temporarily silence the alarm, it does not address the underlying issue of tube placement, which could potentially lead to further complications or inadequate ventilation. Administering bronchodilator therapy might be beneficial if bronchospasm were suspected, but in this case where there are no secretions, it is not the most immediate response. A chest X-ray is useful for assessing underlying lung issues or tube placement but may not provide a rapid solution to a high-pressure alarm situation. Therefore, repositioning the tracheostomy tube is the most direct method to address the problem indicated by the alarm.