Special Populations

Question 1

What does DOPE stand for? What’s it for?

Answer 1

Tracheostomy tube care

Dislodged
Obstructed
Pneumothorax
Equipment failure

Question 2

What size and type of suction tube do you use for suctioning a trach tube?

Answer 2

2x the size of the inner cannula (5.5 tube=10 or 12 suction catheter)

Use a soft suction catheter

Suction no more than 1-2 inches or no longer than the trach tube

Question 3

What are obesity and morbid obesity defined as?

Answer 3

Obesity is 30% over ideal body weight

Morbid obesity is 2-3 times over ideal body weight