High School

A nurse is preparing to suction an infant who has a tracheostomy. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?

A. Routinely suction every 30 minutes.
B. Instill 0.9% sodium chloride prior to suctioning.
C. Limit suctioning pressure to 40 mm Hg.
D. Suction for 5 seconds or less.

Answer :

The correct action a nurse should take when preparing to suction an infant with a tracheostomy is to limit the suctioning pressure to 40 mm Hg, avoiding high pressures that could cause trauma.

Suctioning an infant with a tracheostomy is a delicate procedure and must be done with great care. The appropriate action to take would be c. Limit suctioning pressure to 40 mm Hg. This ensures that the suctioning is gentle enough to prevent damage to the delicate tissues of the infant's airway. Higher pressures could cause trauma to the tracheal mucosa. It is not recommended to routinely suction every 30 minutes (a) as it may lead to irritation and should be done based on assessment rather than a strict schedule. Instilling 0.9% sodium chloride (b) prior to suctioning is a commonly practiced intervention, but its use is controversial and should be guided by the specific circumstances and the healthcare provider's clinical judgment. Finally, suction for 5 seconds or less (d) is a guideline to minimize the potential for hypoxia during the suctioning process. The duration may vary slightly based on different protocols and the response of the individual infant, but the idea is to limit suction time to reduce oxygen deprivation.

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