Question: what are the most common signs and symptoms of respiratory distress in a patient with a tracheostomy?
Answer: Displacement of the tube. Obstruction of the tube. Patient — especially pneumothorax; also: pulmonary embolism, pulmonary oedema, collapse, bronchospasm. Equipment — ventilator problems. 'Stacked breaths' — a reminder about bronchospasm and ventilator settings.