Chapter 36 - Airway Management

What is the primary indication for tracheal suctioning?

• Presence of pneumonia

• Presence of atelectasis

• Ineffective coughing

• Retention of secretions

What is the most common complication of suctioning?

• Hypoxemia

• Hypotension

• Arrhythmias

• Infection

Complications of tracheal suctioning include which of the following?

1. Bronchospasm

2. Hyperinflation

3. Mucosal trauma

4. Elevated intracranial pressure

• 1 and 3 only

• 1, 2, and 3 only

• 3 and 4 only

• 1, 3, and 4 only

How often should patients be suctioned?

• At least once every 2 to 3 hr

• Whenever they are moved or ambulated

• When physical findings support the need

• Whenever the charge nurse requests it

What is the normal range of negative pressure to use when suctioning an adult patient?

• –100 to –120 mm Hg

• –80 to –100 mm Hg

• –60to–80mmHg

• –20to–30mmHg

What is the normal range of negative pressure to use when suctioning children?

• –60to–80mmHg

• –80 to –100 mm Hg

• –100 to –120 mm Hg

• –120 to –150 mm Hg

You are about to suction a 10-year-old patient who has a 6-mm (internal diameter) endotracheal tube in place. What is the maximum size of catheter that you would use in this case?

• 6 Fr

• 8 Fr

• 10 Fr

• 14 Fr

You are about to suction a female patient who has an 8-mm (internal diameter) endotracheal tube in place. What is the maximum size of catheter you would use in this case?

• 8 Fr

• 10 Fr

• 12 Fr

• 14 Fr

To prevent hypoxemia when suctioning a patient, the respiratory care practitioner should initially do which of the following?

• Manually ventilate the patient with a resuscitator.

• Preoxygenate the patient with 100% oxygen.

• Give the patient a bronchodilator treatment.

• Have the patient hyperventilate for 2 min.

To maintain positive end expiratory pressure (PEEP) and high FiO2 when suctioning a mechanically ventilated patient, what would you recommend?

• Limit suction time to no more than 5 sec.

• Use a closed-system multiuse suction catheter.

• Limit suctioning to once an hour.

• Use the smallest possible catheter.