The nurse notes that her ventilated patient needs suctioning via his tracheostomy tube.From experience,she knows that the patient has thick,tenacious mucus that is often difficult to remove.One option to help remove those secretions is the practice of normal saline instillation (NSI)into the tracheostomy tube.What risks does the nurse realize accompany the use of NSI?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Clinical studies comparing the results of suctioning using NSI with standard suctioning
note that the use of isotonic normal saline (INS)with suctioning has the potential to increase ventilated-associated pneumonia because INS can dislodge bacteria from the upper airway to the lower portions of the airway.
Review of literature indicates that suctioning with or without INS produces similar amounts of secretions.Review of literature indicates that suctioning with or without INS as opposed to dry suctioning significantly decreases oxygen saturation and increases heart rate for 4 to 5 minutes after suctioning with INS.

The Nurse Notes That Her Ventilated Patient Needs Suctioning Via