Performing Tracheal Suctioning on a 3-Year-Old Child
What is the most appropriate action for performing tracheal suctioning on a 3-year-old child?
a) Use an 18F suction catheter and limit suction to no longer than 20 seconds.
b) Use a 14F suction catheter and limit suction to no longer than 15 seconds.
c) Use a 5F suction catheter and limit suction to no longer than 5 seconds.
d) Use a 6F suction catheter and limit suction to no longer than 10 seconds.
Answer:
The most appropriate action for performing tracheal suctioning on a 3-year-old child is to use a 5F suction catheter and limit suction to no longer than 5 seconds.
Performing tracheal suctioning on a 3-year-old child requires careful consideration to ensure the procedure is done safely and effectively. The most appropriate action is to use a 5F suction catheter and limit suction to no longer than 5 seconds.
Tracheal suctioning is a procedure used to remove secretions from the airway, and choosing the correct catheter size and limiting suction duration are crucial to minimize any discomfort or potential complications.
Using a smaller catheter size like the 5F ensures a comfortable fit in the child's airway, reducing the risk of trauma during suctioning. Additionally, limiting suction duration to 5 seconds helps prevent hypoxia and further discomfort for the child.
It's important to remember that tracheal suctioning should only be performed by trained healthcare professionals following appropriate aseptic techniques to avoid any risk of infection.