The nurse is suctioning the artificial airway of a conscious client. Which actions demonstrate correct technique? Select all that apply. A)Apply suction for no longer than 5-10 seconds B)Insert catheter with low, intermittent suction applied C)Set suction higher than 130 mm Hg for thick, copious secretions D)Wait at least 1 minute between suction passes E)Withdraw catheter immediately if client begins coughing

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11ecbb05_cb7c_b173_b433_a178c27391da_MD0009_00 11ecbb05_cb7c_b174_b433_37d38a97cd57_MD0009_00 The process of suctioning a client's airway removes oxygen in addition to the secretions; therefore, the client should be preoxygenated with 100% O2, and suction should be applied for no more than 10 seconds during each pass to prevent hypoxia (Option A). The nurse must wait 1-2 minutes between passes for the client to ventilate to prevent hypoxia (Option D). In addition, deep rebreathing should be encouraged. (Option B) The suction catheter should be no more than half the width of the artificial airway and inserted without suction. (Option C) The nurse should don sterile gloves if the client does not have a closed suction system in place. Suction should be set at medium pressure (100-120 mm Hg for adults, 50-75 mm Hg for children) as excess pressure will traumatize the mucosa and can cause hypoxia. (Option E) Clients usually cough as the catheter enters the trachea, and this helps loosen secretions. The catheter should be advanced until resistance is felt and then, to prevent mucosal damage, retracted 1 cm before applying suction. Educational objective: Proper airway suctioning technique includes preoxygenation, limiting a suction pass to 10 seconds, and allowing 1-2 minutes between passes to prevent hypoxia. Medium suction pressure should be set at 100-120 mm Hg for adults, with the catheter inserted without suction.

The Nurse Is Suctioning the Artificial Airway of a Conscious