A nurse is caring for a client who has an endotracheal tube (ET) and is on mechanical ventilation. Which of the following actions should the nurse take for a ventilator alarm due to an increase in peak airway pressure? (Select all that apply.)

Rationale: A. Suction the ET to remove secretions: Secretions in the airway can increase resistance, leading to higher peak inspiratory pressures. Suctioning helps clear the obstruction, restoring normal airflow and reducing pressure within the ventilator circuit. B. Assess the ET for a cuff leak: A cuff leak would result in decreased pressure and trigger a low-pressure alarm rather than an increased peak airway pressure. In this case, the issue relates to increased resistance or obstruction, not a loss of airway seal. C. Verify the placement of the ET: Incorrect placement of the ET tube can cause ventilation issues, but it usually leads to decreased or absent breath sounds and oxygen desaturation rather than an increase in peak pressure. D. Check for a disconnection in the ventilator tubing: A disconnection in the circuit causes a sudden drop in pressure, triggering a low-pressure alarm instead of a high-pressure one. Therefore, this action is not related to resolving increased peak airway pressure. E. Check for a kink in the ventilator tubing: A kink or obstruction in the ventilator tubing increases airway resistance, causing higher peak pressures. Straightening or clearing the tubing restores normal airflow and helps resolve the high-pressure alarm effectively.