Tracheostomy Care & Suctioning Flashcards
Tracheostomy
- Long-term airway support
- Opening for tube itself
Tracheostomy Tube
Tube inserted to extend through stoma into trachea
Health teaching
Encourage pt to clear airway by coughing
Stress importance of adequate hydration
What position should a pt assume?
Semi/high fowler’s
Promote lung expansion
Cotton lint/fibres
From gauze
May be aspirated, causing a tracheal abscess
Post care assessment
- Character/amount of secretions
- Drainage form tracheostomy
- Incision
- Hr and resp status, compared w baseline
- Complaints of pain/discomfort
What size syringe is used
10 ml
Why do you use minimal occlusive pressure when inflating cuff?
Prevent pressure on tracheal tissue
How do you measure appropriate tracheal cuff pressure?
- Stethoscope, auscultate at suprasternal notch for hissing
- If voice audible, occlusion is inadequate
When to perform Suctioning
PRN
resp distress/SOB/Coughing/Low O2
Cyanosis
Crackles
Complications of suctioning
- Worsening respiratory status
- Bloody secretions
- Coughing
- No secretions
Techniques to minimize complications
- Hyperinflation
- Hyperoxygenation
How long to perform suctioning
10-15 sec
If client has copious secretions:
Increase O2 delivery prior to beginning
When is suctioning necessary
When pt is unable to cough and clear respiratory tract secretions
When is oropharyngeal/nasopharyngeal suctioning used
When pt is able to cough but unable to clear secretions by expectorating or swallowing
After pt coughs
When is orotracheal/nasotracheal suctioning required?
The pt is unable to manage secretions by coughing and does not have an artificial airway
Why is a nasal insertion preferred?
Gag reflex is minimal