Problem
Suctioning is the first part of airway management covered in this chapter. Though I personally have never had a weak stomach while suctioning, I know it's often not a fan favorite. Proper airway clearance is so important and sometimes the only way to help our patients is to clear those, sometimes unpleasant, secretions.
Suctioning of the oropharynx or upper airway can be done with what is called a Yankauer. This is a rigid, usually curved, tool that is used to clear secretions from the mouth and back of the throat.
Clearing secretions from the lower airways, the trachea and bronchi, can be done by way of nasotracheal suctioning or endotracheal suctioning.
a) Why should you avoid trying to pass a suction catheter through a patients mouth to suction the lower airways? Before suctioning a patient, it is important to remember the adverse effects that could happen and do your best to avoid them.
b) Name 2 precautions you can do before or during suctioning to decrease the chances of adverse effects from suctioning.
c) If a patient experiences a cardiac dysrhythmia during a suction attempt, what should you do?