Minimizing Atelectasis During Endotracheal Suctioning

How can we prevent atelectasis during endotracheal suctioning?

A) Limit suction time and use a smaller catheter

B) Increase suction pressure and duration

C) Perform suctioning only when strictly necessary

D) Use a larger catheter to ensure thorough suctioning

Answer:

To minimize atelectasis during endotracheal suctioning, it is crucial to perform suctioning only when necessary, limit the suction time, use a smaller catheter, and avoid increased suction pressure and duration. These practices help maintain lung volumes and decrease the work of breathing post-surgery.

The correct answer is option A.

Explanation:

Minimizing Atelectasis During Endotracheal Suctioning: To minimize atelectasis during endotracheal suctioning, certain steps should be followed to maintain lung volumes and avoid lung collapse. Atelectasis is the collapse of part or all of a lung, which can occur when air is removed from the airways or alveoli during suction and not adequately replaced. A key approach to prevention includes:

  • Performing suctioning only when strictly necessary.
  • Limiting suction time to minimize the removal of air from the lungs.
  • Using a smaller catheter to reduce the potential for removing excessive amounts of air.
  • Avoiding increased suction pressure and duration because this can exacerbate atelectasis.
  • Not using a larger catheter unless necessary, as it could lead to more extensive airway trauma and lung volume depletion.

Following these steps can decrease the work of breathing and improve post-surgical recovery by ensuring that the lungs remain well-inflated and the negative pressure in the thoracic cavity is maintained.

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