Before suctioning a patient with a tracheostomy, what should the nurse do?

Before suctioning a patient with a tracheostomy, what should the nurse do?

• A. Hyperoxygenate the client before suctioning
• B. Insert the catheter during exhalation
• C. Apply suction during insertion of the catheter
• D. Apply suction for no more than 15 seconds

Answer: (A)

Hyperoxygenating before suctioning helps prevent hypoxemia and possible tachycardia or arrhythmias that can occur when the airway is interrupted and the patient’s oxygen supply dips. By delivering 100% oxygen (or the patient’s prescribed FiO2) for a short period before and during suctioning, you create an oxygen reserve that the patient can draw from during the procedure, reducing desaturation. In practice, you’d use a bag-valve mask or adjust the ventilator to provide higher oxygenation for about 30 seconds to a minute, then proceed with suctioning while withdrawling the catheter on exhalation and keeping each suction pass brief (generally 10–15 seconds) to maintain oxygenation and minimize trauma.

Hyperoxygenating before suctioning helps prevent hypoxemia and possible tachycardia or arrhythmias that can occur when the airway is interrupted and the patient’s oxygen supply dips. By delivering 100% oxygen (or the patient’s prescribed FiO2) for a short period before and during suctioning, you create an oxygen reserve that the patient can draw from during the procedure, reducing desaturation. In practice, you’d use a bag-valve mask or adjust the ventilator to provide higher oxygenation for about 30 seconds to a minute, then proceed with suctioning while withdrawling the catheter on exhalation and keeping each suction pass brief (generally 10–15 seconds) to maintain oxygenation and minimize trauma.