Tracheostomy

Question 1

What are trachs used for

Answer 1

airway obstruction, pulmonary hygiene, patients requiring long-term mechanical ventilation

Question 2

How do trachs help

Answer 2

aid in secretion removal, decrease the work of breathing, increase comfort

Question 3

What type of trach is the most common in pediatrics

Answer 3

uncuffed

Question 4

Uncuffed trach

Answer 4

allow for airway movement, reduce risk of mucosal injury/tissue edema/fibrosis

Question 5

Cuffed trach

Answer 5

allow for airway clearance with some aspiration protection, used with mechanical ventilation

Question 6

Fenestrated trach

Answer 6

allow airflow for speaking

Question 7

Why does the nurse need to know reasoning for the trach in patient

Answer 7

understand patient status, potential emergency, how to care for trach and patient

Question 8

What important information needs to be passed on about trach

Answer 8

size and type of trach

Question 9

What needs to be inspected

Answer 9

stoma, trach ties, trach tube

Question 10

What emergency equipment needs to be at the bedside

Answer 10

spare trach tubes, suction set-up/tubes, bag-valve mask

Question 11

How often are trach cares done

Answer 11

Q8H

Question 12

What helps trach cares be done more efficiently and safer

Answer 12

putting something under patient neck to increase surface area for work