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Tracheostomy Suctioning

Tracheostomy Tubes

Maintain airway ______

Provide access for removal of ______

Prevent ______when LOC decreased

Provide access for mechanical ______

Oral Airway

Emergency airway

  • Quick
  • Easy

Used with general anesthesia and short term vent patients

Discomfort and gagging common

Accidental ______is more common

Oral hygiene is difficult

Nasal Airways

More difficult to insert

Better tube stability and oral hygiene

Better tolerated

May cause ______of nasal septum and external meatus

May block sinuses or eustachian tubes

Tracheal Airways

The most efficient artificial airway

Device of choice for airway obstruction or trauma

Most comfortable airway

Allows oral feedings

Requires surgery

Indicated for the prolonged (>10 days) artificial airway

Complications include hemorrhage, scarring, ______

Trach components

Neck plate (flange)

Outer cannula

Trach ties

Cuff

  • ______mmHg
  • Inflated
  • Deflated

Trach components

Outer Cannula

Inner Cannula

______

Trach types

Metal

Plastic

Single vs Double lumen

Fenestrated

Passy-muir

Placement

Above the carina at the level of the 2nd, 3rd tracheal rings

  • Improper – against posterior wall of trachea
  • Complication: perforation of esophagus

Emergency Bedside Supplies

Spare trach tube of same size and kind

Spare suction kit

Ambu-bag to manually ventilate patient

Sterile gauze

Airway/Trach Assessment

Patent Airway??

  • Excess secretions
  • Diminished airflow/breath sounds
  • Wheezes, crackles
  • Change in vitals
  • BP, O2 sat
  • Change in behavior
  • LOC, restlessness, anxiety

Soiled dressing/ties

Oropharyngeal Suctioning

Yankaur or tonsillar tip used

May be delegated to ______

Clean gloves

Be gentle

Keep O2 source close

Encourage patient to cough

Rinse with water

May reuse if stored in clean dry area

Document assessment findings pre and post procedure

Trach suctioning

Gather equipment

  • Suction kit
  • Suction source
  • Sterile saline
  • Stethoscope

Trach Suction

Adjust wall suction to ______mmHg

Place connecting tubing in accessible secure place

Open saline, open suction kit

Set up basin and pour solution

______

Don sterile gloves

Connect sterile catheter to tubing

Test suction

Hyperoxygenate

Insert tube until resistance

  • Insert only during inhalation
  • Do not insert during swallowing
  • Do not apply suction while inserting

Apply suction and rotate tube while withdrawing catheter from airway (no more than 10 sec)

______

Rinse catheter at every pass

Auscultate lungs

Document procedure and client response

In-line Suctioning

Mechanically ventilated patients

Should not be delegated to assistive personnel

Clean gloves

Documentation

Gurgling present on inspiration. O2 sats 90%. Procedure explained and patient positioned in Semi-fowlers. Trach suctioned with yellow, thick returns. Heavy, dry, yellow crusted drainage around stoma, trach plate and on old dressing. Trach site cleaned and dressing changed. Trach ties replaced. Patient tolerated procedure well with no complaints. Lungs clear. O2 sats 92%.------M. Smith, RN

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