AIIMS Raipur NO - 2019 (Shift-2)
Medical & Surgical Nursing (E5)
Easy

An individual who is unable to breathe needs the support of the?

Appeared in: AIIMS Raipur NO - 2019 (Shift-2)

Explanation

  • A ventilator is a machine that provides mechanical ventilation, assisting or replacing spontaneous breathing.
  • It is indicated for patients with respiratory failure, apnea, or insufficient breathing to maintain life.
  • The machine pushes air, often with supplemental oxygen, into the lungs to ensure adequate oxygenation and carbon dioxide removal.
  • This is a form of life support essential for individuals who cannot breathe on their own due to illness, injury, or anesthesia (SRC_93, SRC_92).

Why Other Options Were Wrong

  • Option A: A pacemaker is a cardiac device used to manage abnormal heart rhythms (arrhythmias), specifically slow heart rates (bradycardia). It does not assist with lung function or breathing.
  • Option B: A defibrillator is an emergency device used to treat life-threatening cardiac arrhythmias, such as ventricular fibrillation and pulseless ventricular tachycardia, by delivering an electrical shock to the heart. It does not support breathing.
  • Option D: A spirometer is a diagnostic tool, not a life-support device. It is used to measure lung capacity and airflow, helping to diagnose conditions like asthma, COPD, and other respiratory diseases. It does not provide breathing assistance.

Related Visual

A clear infographic comparing the four devices Ventilator, Pacemaker, Defibrillator, Spirometer. For each device, it should show a simple illustration, its primary function e...
Clinical Relevance
  • Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain The question tests the knowledge of common medical life-support and diagnostic devices, specifically focusing on identifying the correct equipment for respiratory failure as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
  • Nurses are responsible for monitoring patients on mechanical ventilation, which includes assessing respiratory status, managing ventilator settings as prescribed, ensuring airway patency, and preventing complications like ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP).
  • Understanding the difference between respiratory and cardiac support devices is fundamental to emergency response. Misidentifying the needed device can have fatal consequences.
  • What if the patient is breathing but inadequately (e.g., shallow, rapid breaths leading to hypercapnia)? In such cases, non-invasive ventilation (NIV) like BiPAP or CPAP might be used first to support breathing without intubation, before resorting to a full mechanical ventilator if the condition worsens (SRC_93).
How to Approach the Question
  • First, identify the core problem presented in the question stem. Here, the problem is an 'individual who is unable to breathe'.
  • Next, analyze the function of each device listed in the options.
  • Match the function of the device to the problem. A pacemaker and defibrillator are for heart problems. A spirometer is for testing, not supporting.
  • The ventilator is the only device designed to mechanically assist or replace the function of breathing.
  • Therefore, select the option that directly addresses the patient's inability to breathe.
Concept Tested & Keywords
  • Concept Tested: The question tests the knowledge of common medical life-support and diagnostic devices, specifically focusing on identifying the correct equipment for respiratory failure.
  • Stem keywords: unable to breathe, support
  • Lead-in keywords: BEST, MOST RELEVANT CLUE

Question ID

QdcvyRh6mKVyThSyZjuUck

Reference Book

E6 Physiology Essentials Sembulingam 10e Part 3 p. 24-26

E6 Medicine Harrison 22e Part 2 p. 209-211

Practise the full AIIMS Raipur NO - 2019 (Shift-2)

Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.

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