A patient is discharged from the hospital with a tracheostomy tube for long-term airway management. The nurse determines that teaching related to care of the tracheostomy has been effective when the patient says,

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

It takes several months for the formation of a fully healed tract, so the patient is taught to leave the tracheostomy tube in place for several months. Clean (rather than sterile) gloves and catheters are used for suctioning at home to decrease expense. Semisoft foods, rather than liquids, are the easiest to swallow. Water should not be instilled into the tracheostomy; thick secretions may indicate the need for more fluid intake or humidification.

A Patient Is Discharged from the Hospital with a Tracheostomy