Certified Transport Registered Nurse Certification Practice Exam

Which type of patients may not achieve normal oxygenation with a transport vent?

1. ARDS patients

2. Post-operative patients

3. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients

4. Trauma patients

The correct answer is: ARDS patients

Patients with Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) often present significant challenges when it comes to oxygenation, even with mechanical ventilation assistance. This condition is characterized by widespread inflammation in the lungs, leading to decreased compliance and impaired gas exchange. In transport ventilation settings, the limitations of ventilatory settings may become even more pronounced due to changes in the patient’s environment (e.g., position, movement) and the inherent difficulties in managing high levels of peak inspiratory pressures. Unfortunately, this can prevent ARDS patients from achieving normal oxygenation levels, as their lungs become less capable of maintaining adequate gas exchange despite receiving ventilatory support. For other patient populations, such as post-operative, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and trauma patients, while they may experience complications, they typically have a better chance of achieving reasonable oxygenation with mechanical ventilation support within the standard transport settings. Their conditions may allow for more predictable ventilation management or more responsive treatment strategies. Thus, ARDS distinguishes itself as a group wherein normal oxygenation is particularly difficult to maintain during transport.