An RN is observing a nursing student who is suctioning a hospitalized client with a tracheostomy in place. Which of the following actions by the student requires the RN to intervene?
A)The student preoxygenates the client for 1 minute before suctioning.
B)The student puts on clean gloves and uses a sterile catheter to suction.
C)The student inserts the catheter about 15 cm into the tracheostomy tube.
D)The student applies suction for 10 seconds while withdrawing the catheter.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Sterile gloves and a sterile catheter are used when suctioning a tracheostomy. The other student actions do not require intervention by the RN. Although the client may not need 1 minute of preoxygenation, this would not be unsafe. Suctioning for 10 seconds is appropriate. The length of catheter that should be inserted depends on the length of the tracheostomy tube, but the range is 13-15 cm for most adult clients.

An RN Is Observing a Nursing Student Who Is Suctioning