A high-pressure ventilator alarm most likely indicates which issue?

• A. Obstruction (mucus plug, kink, biting tube)
• B. Low pressure
• C. Sensor fault
• D. Patient-ventilator asynchrony

Answer: (A)

A high-pressure alarm means the ventilator is meeting unusually high resistance during inspiration. This happens when something is blocking or constricting the airway or the circuit, so the ventilator must push gas against greater resistance to deliver the breath. The most common causes are an obstruction such as a mucus plug, a kink in the tubing, or the patient biting the tube. Because the flow is limited, pressure within the airway rises quickly, triggering the alarm.

In contrast, a low-pressure alarm points to a leak or disconnection, not increased resistance. A sensor fault could cause erroneous readings but doesn’t specifically indicate high airway pressure, and patient-ventilator asynchrony usually relates to timing or flow mismatch rather than a sustained high pressure. If this alarm occurs, check for airway obstruction, inspect the circuit for kinks, ensure the tube isn’t biting, and suction as needed before adjusting the setup.