A nurse is preparing to provide suctioning for a toddler who has a tracheostomy. Which of the following actions should be included in the plan of care?

1. Administering oxygen before suctioning
2. Using a sterile suction catheter
3. Applying suction for no longer than 10 seconds
4. Assessing the toddler's respiratory status before and after suctioning

When preparing to provide suctioning for a toddler with a tracheostomy, the nurse should administer oxygen before suctioning, use a sterile suction catheter, apply suction for no longer than 10 seconds, and assess the toddler's respiratory status before and after suctioning.

Explanation:

When preparing to provide suctioning for a toddler with a tracheostomy, the following actions should be included in the plan of care:

Administering oxygen before suctioning: This is important because suctioning can temporarily decrease oxygen levels, so providing supplemental oxygen before suctioning can help maintain adequate oxygenation.
Using a sterile suction catheter: This is necessary to prevent infection and maintain cleanliness during the suctioning procedure.
Applying suction for no longer than 10 seconds: Prolonged suctioning can cause tissue damage, so it is important to limit suction time to 10 seconds or less.
Assessing the toddler's respiratory status before and after suctioning: This is crucial to monitor the effectiveness of the suctioning procedure and to ensure the toddler's respiratory status is stable.