After suctioning an intubated patient, which vital sign should be reported immediately?

The correct answer is based on the importance of recognizing and responding to signs of potential infection or complications following suctioning in an intubated patient. A tympanic temperature of 101.4ºF (38.6ºC) indicates a fever, which can be a significant clinical finding, especially in the context of a patient with an artificial airway. Intubated patients are at increased risk for ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) and other respiratory infections.

Monitoring temperature is critical as it can indicate an inflammatory response or infection, which could escalate in severity if not addressed promptly. Therefore, a fever in this context should prompt immediate assessment and potential intervention to address the underlying cause, such as initiating a infection work-up or considering modifications in therapy to manage the patient’s condition effectively.

Other vital signs listed, such as a heart rate of 98 beats/min, a respiratory rate of 24 breaths/min, and a blood pressure of 168/90 mm Hg, while they may reflect the patient’s status, do not typically warrant the same level of urgency as a fever does in this scenario. Elevated heart rates can be common, especially in response to stress or discomfort, moderate elevations in respiratory rate could be normal following suctioning, and although high