You are conducting a routine visit to a ventilator-dependent patient in a home care setting. Which of the following would you be sure to perform while on this visit?

Question

1. Carefully assess patient's status.
2. Administer prescribed respiratory therapy.
3. Check and clean equipment (as needed).
4. Complete all appropriate documentation.
a. 1, 2, and 3 only
b. 2 and 4 only
c. 1, 2, 3, and 4
d. 3 and 4 only

Answer 1

ANS: C
Routine follow-up visits by a respiratory therapist help to ensure the success of patient manage-ment within the home. Equipment must be checked and cleaned as necessary. The patient's status should be carefully assessed and appropriate recommendations for change should be made to the primary or prescribing physician. Any prescribed respiratory therapy should be administered dur-ing the visit and all necessary supply items left with the patient's caregivers. After each visit, a report form must be completed and kept on record as part of the documentation process.