The nurse is performing nasotracheal suctioning on a medical patient and obtains copious amounts of secretions from the patients airway, even after inserting and withdrawing the catheter several times. How should the nurse proceed?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

If additional suctioning is needed, the nurse should withdraw the catheter to the back of the pharynx, reassure the patient, and oxygenate for several minutes before resuming suctioning. Chest physiotherapy and postural drainage are not necessarily indicated.

The Nurse Is Performing Nasotracheal Suctioning on a Medical Patient