Registered Nurse (RN) Respiratory Practice Exam

An expected finding in a patient receiving positive pressure ventilation is that the water level in the water seal chamber decreases during inspiration. This occurs because, during inspiration, the positive pressure applied by the ventilator increases the volume of air in the lungs and decreases the pressure in the pleural space, causing fluid levels in the water seal chamber to drop temporarily.

Understanding this behavior of the water seal chamber is crucial for monitoring mechanical ventilation and ensuring proper function of the system. It also helps to assess the effectiveness of ventilation and the patient's respiratory mechanics.

Other options may suggest abnormal findings; for example, continuous bubbling in the chamber would indicate a potential air leak, and no movement or constant water levels could suggest a malfunction in the system or issues with the patient's lung compliance. Intermittent bubbling during expiration could indicate a normal phase in some contexts, but it typically does not align with the expected response during positive pressure ventilation.