ARTP 05 Airway Management: Suctioning

Question 1

Purpose of suctioning?

Answer 1

Maintain a patent (open) airway by removing secretions, food, foreign mayerial and facilitate pulmonary hygiene

Question 2

3 types of suctioning

Answer 2

Oral suctioning
Nasotracheal suctioning

Sterile hand suctioning— suctioning using sterile technique when catheter will enter trach

Question 3

What BS will indicate suctioning is needed?

Answer 3

Rhonchi

Question 4

How often is suctioning done?

Answer 4

PRN

Question 5

Retention of secretions can cause?

Answer 5

Increased WOB
Atelectasis
Hypoxemia
Hypercapnia
Pulmonary infection 
Increased airway resistance

Question 6

Indications for suctioning?

Answer 6

Auscultating rhonchi
Visible secretions
Hearing gurgling 
Sudden increase in distress
Prolonged coughing
Signs of consolidation 
Intoxication
Neuromuscular dysfunction
Head trauma
Cough depressed

Question 7

Patients that need suctioning

Answer 7

Artificial airway
Broken ribs 
Cystic fibrosis 
Post surgery
Lung infection 
Paralyzed patients

Question 8

Can secretions lead to airway resistance?

Answer 8

Yeppers

Question 9

What is aspirating?

Answer 9

1. To remove secretions from the body

2. Breathe in foreign object

Question 10

Nasotracheal suctioning

Answer 10

Suctioning through the nose into the trachea

Question 11

Retained secretions cause?

Answer 11

Increased WOB
atelectasis
Hypoxemia
Hypercapnia
Infection
Increase airways resistance

Question 12

Contraindications for suctioning

Answer 12

Acute pulmonary hemorrhage
Increased ICP
Tracheal surgery
High PEEP/ FiO2

Question 13

Absolute contraindication for suctioning

Answer 13

Epiglottitis

Croup

Question 14

Upper airway- oropharynx

Answer 14

Clean (not sterile)
Yankauer
Flexible plastic or rubber catheter

Question 15

Lower airway- trachea and bronchi

Answer 15

Open airway
Sterile suction
Remove patients from O2

Question 16

Closed airway- closed system

Answer 16

In-line suction

Patient remains connected to O2

Question 17

What is the name of the device used to suction the mouth?

Answer 17

Yankaer, tonsil tip

Question 18

Negative pressure used for infants, children, adults

Answer 18

Infant -80 to -100 mmHg
Children -100 to -120 mmHg
Adults -120 to -150 mmHg

Question 19

2 types of catheters

Answer 19

Soft catheters (whistle tip):

Cant remove large secretions

Hard suction (tonsil tip)

Can remove large secretions

Question 20

What is special about Coudé catheter

Answer 20

Specifically suctions L main stem

Question 21

Suction equipment

Answer 21

Sterile normal saline 
Suction source 
Resuscitation bag and 100% O2
Clear goggles/mask or face shield 
Sterile gloves
Sterile catheter
Lubricant

Question 22

How to calculate what size catheter based off ET tube?

Answer 22

ID of ET tube multiplied by 2

Subtract by 2

Question 23

What is the maximum size catheter for suction

Answer 23

1/2 the diameter of the airway

Question 24

What is monitored during the suction procedure?

Answer 24

SpO2
HR and rhythm 
RR and pattern 
Blood pressure
Cough
ICP

Question 25

How many seconds per suction?

Answer 25

<15 seconds in airway