Suctioning Objectives

Question 1

Discuss the signs and symptoms that indicate a patient may require suctioning

Answer 1

• tachypnoea (increased respiratory effort)
• tidal volume not being delivered
• visible/audible secretions
• decreased O2 saturations levels
• cyanosis, redness, pallor
• altered chest movement

Question 2

what is the measured depth of suction in relation to the closed suction system?

Answer 2

size of the ETT, minus 2 then times by 2. Insert a further 0.5cm to elict a cough

Question 3

how long can you suction an intubated patient for?

Answer 3

• limit suction pass to 10-15 seconds

- Passes should be limited to 2 unless there are copious secretion amounts

Question 4

how do you determine what size in-line suction to use?

Answer 4

-Size of the suction catheter should occlude no more than 1/2 of the internal diameter of the ETT.
-Formula+ size of ETT, minus 2 then multiply by 2
ie- size 8 ETT -2=6x2= 12 Fr

Question 5

what are the main potential complications of artificial airway suctioning and how can they be minimized?

Answer 5

-bleeding
-infection
-atelectasis
-hypoxemia
-cadiovascular instability
-increase ICP
-lesions to tracheal mucosa
Suction either every 8 hours or when the patient indicated with signs and symptoms that they require suctioning

Question 6

what are the advantages of using a closed suction system?

Answer 6

• a sterile technique which minimises non-socomial contamination
• less disposable stock used

Question 7

how often should in-line suction be changed?

Answer 7

CSS catheters are routinely changed at 72 hours intervals (3days) and should have a day of the week the CSS requires changing.
-It may also be changed or contains secretions that are unable to be flushed