When the nurse is deflating the cuff of a tracheostomy tube to evaluate the patient's ability to swallow, it is important to

Question

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The patient's mouth and trachea should be suctioned before the cuff is deflated to prevent aspiration of oral secretions. The amount of air needed to inflate the cuff varies and is adjusted by measuring cuff pressure or using the minimal leak technique, not by measuring the volume of air removed from the cuff. The cuff is deflated during patient exhalation so that secretions will be forced into the mouth rather than aspirated. There is no need to clean the inner cannula before cuff deflation.

When the Nurse Is Deflating the Cuff of a Tracheostomy