Bronchopulmonary Hygiene Flashcards
Normal Airway Clearance
Patent Airway
Functional Mucociliary Escalator-When the muscus travels up the epithelium via cilia to be expelled
Effective cough
Retention of Secretions
Retention of Secretions can lead to a full or partial airway obstruction
If pathogens are present retention of secretions can result in secretions
Compounding these problem may be a failure in the cough reflex
In patients with retained secretions, interference with any one of the cough’s four phases can result in ineffective airway clearance
Partial Obstruction
Restricts airflow
Will increase WOB which will lead to air trapping, overdistension, and ventilation/perfusion imbalances
Full Obstruction
Muscus plugging
Atelectasis and imparied oxygenation due to shunting
Hypoxic Vasoconstriction
Compensatory mechanism for shunt, will decrease blood flow to portion of lung and in turn increased pulmonary vascular resistance which can inpact the heart (very important when pt. has heart problems)
What are the 4 phases of a Cough
1) Irritation
2) Inspiration
3) Compression
4) Expulsion
Irritation Phase of the Cough
Something is bugging your lungs and you can sense it
A stimulus will trigger airway sensory recpetors, sending impulses to the brain’s medullary cough center
Causes can be-Inflammatory (cough), mechanical (sputum, foreign bodies), chemical (irritating gases such as cigarette smoke), and thermal (cold air)
Mechanisms that Impair Irritation Phase of a Cough:
Anesthesia
CNS depression
Narcotic-analgesics
Inspiration Phase of a Cough
In response to afferent impulses, the cough center will reflexively stimulate the inspiratory muscles to initiate a deep inspiration (1-2L)
Mechanisms that Impair Inspirtion Phase of a Cough
Pain
Neuromuscular dysfunction
Pulmonary restriction
Abdominal restriction
MAP and MIP-Maximial expirator pressure and maximum inspirtory pressure
Vasalva manuever
Compression Phase of a Cough
Compression-Closure of the glottis (vocal cord snap shut) in order to generate pressure
A reflex nerve will cause the glottis to close and the expiratory muscles to contract
Pleural and alveolar pressures increase rapidly.
This compression phase is normally about 0.2 second and results in a rapid rise in pleural and alveolar pressures, often in excess of 100 mm Hg.
Mechanisms that impair compression in a cough
Laryngeal nerve damage
Artificial airway
Abdominal muscle weakness
Abdominal surgery
Expulsion Phase of a Cough
The glottis opens, causing a large pressure gradient between the alveoli and the airway opening.
Expiratory muscles continue to contract.
The pressure gradient causes a high-velocity gas flow that displaces the mucus from the airway walls and into the air stream.
A violent, expulsive flow of air from the lungs, with velocities as high as 500 miles per hour.
Mechanisms that impair expulsion
Airway compression
Airway obstruction
Abdominal muscle weakness
Inadequate lung recoil (e.g., emphysema)
Patient may be unable to adequately clear secretions if:
There is loss of airway control
Increased secretion production or thickened secretions due to abnormal lung pathology
Inadequate cough
Causes of Impaired Mucociliary Clearance in Intubated Patients
Endotracheal or tracheostomy tube Intubated patients
Tracheobronchial suction
Inadequate humidification
Drugs
General anesthetics
Opiates
Narcotics
Underlying pulmonary disease
Mucocillary Clearerance in Intubated Patients
- The tube’s presence in the trachea
- increases mucus secretion
- the tube cuff mechanically blocks the mucociliary escalator.
- movement of the tube tip and cuff can cause erosion of the tracheal mucosa and further impair mucociliary clearance.
- endotracheal tubes impair the compression phase of the cough reflex by preventing closure of the glottis
- Although suctioning is used to aid secretion clearance, it, too, can cause damage to the airway mucosa and thus impair mucociliary transport.
- We have suction pressure on muciliary lining which can cause damage in itself
- The cuff will obstruct the secretions and will take away the glotic closure takign away the ability to create a high pressure coug
Suctioning
Removal of secretions or other semi-liquid fluids from the airways using mechanical aspiration.
Application of negative pressure (vacuum) to the airways through a collecting tube (flexible or rigid catheter).
Removal of foreign bodies, secretions, or tissue masses beyond the mainstem bronchi requires bronchoscopy.
Upper airway is verythign above the glottis
Indications for Suctioning
- Coarse or absent Br/S on auscultation
- An ineffective spontaneous cough
- Visible secretions in the airway
- The need to stimulate a cough in patients unable to cough effectively secondary to changes in mental status or the influence of medication (cough effort)
- Changes on Xray consistent with retained secretions-
- atelectasis or consolidation
- When we come to this point the patient may need a therapeutic bronchoscopy not just a suctionist
- Changes in monitored flow/pressure graphics
- Increased peak inspiratory pressure (PIP) on volume-control ventilation (VCV)
- Decreased tidal volume (Vt) on pressure control ventilation (PCV)
- Suspected aspiration of gastric or upper airway secretions
- Clinically apparent increased WOB
- Resp rate & pattern
- Changes in oxygenation- This is one of our big indications that suctioning is needed
- Colour
- Saturation (pulse oximetry)
- ABG
- Endotracheal tube aspirate
- Patency check
What does coarse mean?
Very thick secretions may not move with airflow and thus may not create any adventitious sounds.
If they are able to cough we may only need to assist them in the cough instead of a full deep suctioning
Indications
- Crackles or diminished breath sounds
- You can see it on the vent waveform
•
True or False Is suction routinely Done on a Schedule
False
Contraindications to Suctioning
Most contraindications are relative to patient’s risk of developing adverse reactions or worsening clinical condition as a result of procedure
When indicated, there are no absolute contraindications for endotracheal suctioning
If we do not clear secretions it can kill the patient, which is why there are only relative contraindications
Ex.When we cough we are increasing ICP which can be dangerous in TBI patient, what we can do to help this is to administer Lidocaine or even paralyze them in order to blunt their cough during suctioning
Suction Equitment
- Adjustable suction source/collection system
- Sterile suction catheter
- Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
- Sterile glove(s)
- Goggles, mask, and gown (standard precautions)
- Sterile basin
- Sterile bulk saline
- Some clinican use water some prefer saline as it is an isotonic
- Sterile saline for instillation
- Oxygen delivery system (BMV or ventilator)
Types of Suction Regulators
- Continuous suction regulators: Either on or off
- Adjustable from 0 to –200 mmHg
- Intermittent suction regulators: Designed to cycle from on to off
- Cycle time & suction can be adjusted
- Three preset ranges (don’t need to memeorize know that we have it and you don’t use it for invasive suctioning)
- Low 50- 70 mmHg
- Medium 80- 100 mmHg
- High 110- 130 mmHg
- Older application: gastric tubes
- Latest application of intermittent suction: surgical drainage
Collection System
Used to collect waste…
Prevent contamination of suction regulator/ suction machine
Contains valves to protect system from overflow
Valves interrupt suction when container full
Connection Tubing
Regulator -> waste container
Waste container -> suction catheter
Often canister is mounted on the wall on the wall. Short or long tubing doesn’t really matter. Because it is on the wall, a short piece of tubing is used to connect canister to regulator, and then a long piece from the canister to reach the patient.
Remember to check the pressure you are subjecting your patient to at the end nearest them. Distal to the vacuum source.
Flexible Suction Catheters
Inserted directly into artificial airways (or through the nose/ nasopharynx)
Can be used in the mouth, but not commonly seen in adults (have rigid/tonsillar suction )
Everytime before you suction a pt. even if they are sedated always warn your pt. first
Flexible (prevent damage to airway mucosa) but rigid enough to be passed through an airway
Various sizes
Smooth and molded edges to prevent trauma to airway mucosa
Produce minimal resistance due to friction when passed through airway
Flexible Suction Catheters-Sizes
- Various sizes (Fr)
- Size determined by outside circumference of catheter
- Most often seen/available in even sizes
- Too large can obstruct the endotracheal airway.
- Application of negative pressure evacuates lung volume and causes atelectasis and hypoxemia.
- Never suction a patient with a catheter whose outer diameter is greater than one half the internal diameter of the artificial airway
Rule of Thumb for Sizing Flexible Catheter
To estimate the proper flexible catheter size:
Multiple inner diameter (ID) of ETT x 2 & use next smallest even catheter
e.g. size 7 ID ETT will require a suction catheter with size: 7*2= 14 à use 12 Fr
Catheter Tips
- Several catheter types available:
- straight
- angled or curved “coude”
- Variability in # & size of orifices (eyes)
- diameter of orifice/eyes larger than catheter’s inner diameter
Closed Multiuse System
Can be incorporated directly in the mechanically ventilated circuit (ETT or Trach) to be used repeatadly.
Because this system allows suctioning without disconnecting the patient from the ventilator, high Fio2 and positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) can be maintained, resulting in less likelihood of hypoxemia (preoxygenation with 100% O2 is still required).
After suctioning the catheter needs to be completely removed from the airway (check your markings)
Cross contamination is less likely and will cost lower
The extra weight an in-line catheter adds to a ventilator circuit may increase tension on the tracheal tube. Also, the presence of the catheter in the airway increases resistance. This will result in an increase in the peak inspiratory pressure and can alter the volumes delivered by a ventilator depending on how the ventilator is operating.
The reduced airway pressure during suctioning can cause the ventilator to inadvertently trigger.
Indications for Closed System (Inline) Catheters
Hemodynamic instability
High ventilatory requirements
On isolation
Receiving inhaled agents
Frequent suctioning
Endotracheal suctioning can be done through an endotracheal tube that is inserted:
Nasally or Orally
May be via an open or closed technique
Should be a sterile procedure
Tracheostomies may be suctioned
Via an open or closed technique
Sterile in ICU, will see “clean” on wards
Endotracheal Suction Levels
Adult 80-120 mmHg (open)
Adults full wall ~160 mmHg (closed)
Children 60-100 mmHg (open & closed)
Infants 60-80 mmHg (open & closed)
Suction Levels have Direct Effect on Lung Pressures:
Decreased Lung Volumes -> Atelectasis -> hypoxemia -> Hypoxia
Sputum COCA
COCA: colour, odour, consistency, amount
The Three S of Suctioning
Stop
Stay
Stable
How to Oxygenate the Patient
30 sec-3 min on 100% oxygen following procedure (adults only)
Instillation
Instillation is not routinely done because of irritation to the patient which can cause bronchoconstriction (very dangerous in asthma) and it can uncomfortable. Can also produce biofilm into the lungs
Indications: Tenacious secretions, blood clots, etc
Instillation is to help mobilize secretion and produce a cough by putting saline down the tube
Equitment in OPEN Suction
Adjustable suction source/collection system
Sterile suction catheter
PPE-Sterile glove(s), goggles, mask, and gown (standard precautions)
Sterile basin
Sterile saline for lubricating and/or flushing catheter
Sterile saline for instillation
Oxygen source-BMV
Equitment in CLOSED Suction
Adjustable suction source/collection system
Multiuse/in-line suction catheter
Gloves
Sterile saline for flushing the catheter and/or instillation
Oxygen source-ventilator
Factors that Affect the Rate of Suction Flow
Magnitude of Suction Applied
Diameter of Tubing
Viscosity of Fluid Being Suctioned
‘Caution’ Regarding High Suction Levels
- Rate of suction flow is portportional to suction level if flow is smooth and laminar
- 50% increase suction level results in 50% increase in suction flow rate
- Flow within suction system is turbulent and disorderly
- Increased suction level by 50% may only increase flow by 20-25%
- Try to increase suction flow by increasing magnitude of suction level
- Not the best apprach but also not wrong
- Increasing suction will not increase flow because it will increase turbulent flow
- To try and get more laminar flow get a larger diameter of tubing, try to thin out secretions, and tryign to decrease magnitude
Other Types of Airway Clearing
Secretions or fluids can also be removed from the adult oropharynx by using a rigid, tonsillar or Yankauer suction.
Saliva, mucous, pulmonary secretions, blood or vomit
Oral/Oropharyngeal suctioning (massive)- Used to remove large or excessive amounts of secretions from oral cavity & oropharynx (no gag reflex!)
Will be at every pt. bedside
Suction Ranges
Infant/Child: 0- 100 mmHg
Adult: ~ 160 mmHg (~ full suction)
Nasopharyngeal Suctioning
Used for non intubated patients who are unable to properly clear their airway and you can not access the mouth
A lubricated flexible catheter will be inserted via the nasopharyngeal airway (NPA or trumpet). The NPA will be left in place in order to facilitate suctioning, but should be changed from one nare to the other every 24-48 hours.
NPA will be only used on adults, and they will restrict activity of the patient (requires physician orders to suction; whereas an OPA does not)
Nasal suction of infants should be done cautiously. Fishing with a flexible catheter may cause more swelling & compound the problem.
The Death Rattle in Pallative Care
NPA are commonly used in pallative care
The “death rattle” is when pallative patients have a decreased level of consiousness and can not clear secretions.
These patients will produce a gurgling sound and even though it may not bother the patient it tends to bother the family members, this is tricky though because you also need to be mindful that it can be hard on the patient to be suctioned
Different Suction For Different parts of the Airway
-
Nasal
- Flexible catheter or bulb
- This is the preferred rout in awake non intubated patients
-
Mouth
- Rigid (aka. Tonsillar, Yaunkauer), bulb, or flexible
- Rigid will be used for adults and not on infants where we only use flexible catheters
- Oropharyngeal suctioning should not be done in awake patients with a gag reflex
-
Lower Airway
- Multi use (inline/closed)
- Single use (open)
- Flexible
DeLee Suctioning
Will not be used much as there is not a lot of research supporting it
Will be used for meconium which is when babies poop inside of mother womb and leads to meconium aspiration syndrome
Complications and Hazards from Suctioning
Hypoxia or hypoxemia
Atelectasis
Blood pressure changes (increase or decrease)
Cardiac dysrhythmias
Cardiac or respiratory arrest
Bronchospasm, laryngospasm (vocal cords shut), uncontrolled coughing, gagging, or vomiting
Increased intracranial pressure
Mechanical trauma
Tearing, bleeding & perforation
Discomfort and pain
Nosocomial infection
Preventing VAP
- HAND HYGIENE- Most Important!!
- Oral Hygiene
- Don’t break the circuit and minimize circuit changes
- cuff pressure
- bronchohygiene
- Moving HOB to 30-45
- Early nutritional support via GI tract: Reduce risk of bacterial translocation thereby minimize catabolic state imposed by resulting activation of imflammatory cascade
- Gastric Tube placed orally to minimize risk of sinusitis: NG tubes should be changed to OG tubes if expected to require mechanical ventilaiton for more then 24 hours. Once feeding tolerance has been established, these larger size tubes can be replaced by smaller bore tubes (i.e. silastic tubes) which can then be placed nasally for patient comfort.
- Gastroesophageal Reflux: Occurs during mechanical ventilation. Gastric fluid is more likely to be aspirated into the respiratory tract when patients are in the supine position. The head of the bed should be elevated (~ 35-45 degrees).
Gastric Tubes
- Gastric suctioning (via nasogastric or orogastric tubes) is done to suction gastric contents and decompress stomach
- Prevent vomiting and aspiration
- Obtain specimen of the gastric contents
- Assessment of GI bleed
- To treat gastric immobility and bowel obstruction
- For drainage/ lavage (old treatment)
- Patients with drug overdose or poisoning
- In addition gastric tubes can also be inserted for :
- Feeding (enteral)
- Way to provide food through nose
- Orogastric tubes are preferred in patient with ETT for more than 24 hours
- Infants less than 6 months are nose breathers and OG is preferred
- Medication administration
- Feeding (enteral)
Complications of Gastric Tubes
Insertion of catheter can induce gagging or vomiting leading to aspiration
Tissue trauma
Contraindications of Gastric Tubes
Severe facial trauma (further trauma and bleeding while insertion)
Trauma to esophagus, stomach or duodenum (further trauma and bleeding while insertion)
Esophageal varices (possibility if hemorrhage while insertion)
Basal skull fractures or maxillofacial injury (for nasogastric tubes)
Basal Skull Fracture
Raccoon eyes are bilateral periorbital ecchymoses that don’t result from facial soft-tissue trauma.
Raccoon eyes may be the only indicator of a basal skull fracture, which isn’t always visible on skull X-rays. Their appearance signals the need for careful assessment to detect underlying trauma because a basil skull fracture can injure cranial nerves, blood vessels, and the brain stem.
Battle’s Sign: Bluish discoloration behind one or both ears
Equitment for Gastric Tube Insertion
- Personal protective equipment
- NG/ OG tube
- NG: 5- 18 Fr
- OG: 24- 42 Fr
- Catheter tip irrigation 60 ml syringe
- Water soluble lubricant
- Adhesive tape
- Suction equipment
- Stethoscope
- Felt pen
- Glass of water with straw/ soother
- You want your pt. to swallow
- Flashlight
- Non- sterile gloves
Clean Procedure for Gastric Tube
- Check physician orders & any relevant history
- Explain the procedure to the patient
- Gather equipment & don non- sterile gloves
- Determine the site of insertion
- Measure tube from tip of nose (nasogastric) or from end of the mouth (orogastric) to ear lobe, then to point half way between end of sternum (xiphoid process) and naval
- Note/ mark the length
- Lubricate 2- 4 inches of tube with water soluble lubricant (nasogastric)
- Instruct the patient to swallow and advance the tube past pharynx into esophagus and then stomach
- NG: gently insert tube into appropriate nostril, aiming towards back of head, tip parallel to nasal septum and superior to hard palate
- OG: pass tube through lips and over tongue, aiming down and back toward pharynx with patient’s head flexed forward
- If resistance met, rotate tube slowly with downward advancement without applying force
- Advance tube until marked/ noted length is reached
- Secure and attach to suction
- Tidy Up, Wash Hands and Chart
Withdrawal the Gastric Tube Immediately If
if changes occur in patient’s respiratory status
if tube coils in the mouth
if patient starts to cough, desaturate or gets cyanotic
How to Check for Correct Placement of Gastric Tube
X-ray
Attach syringe to free end of the tube
Aspirate gastric contents
Instill air into tube and auscultate (5 to 20cc)
Any doubt regarding proper placement, hold any instillations through the tube!