Chapter 5: Oxygen Therapy
5.8 Oral Suctioning
Critical Thinking Exercises: Questions, Answers, and Sources / References
- What is the purpose of oral suctioning?
Answer: to clear oral secretions; to decrease risk of aspiration from oral secretions.
2. Name 3 types of patient conditions that present risk for airway obstruction or ineffective cough.
Answer: Patients at risk for airway obstruction include: persons with stroke; neuromuscular disease (ALS, muscular dystrophy), persons with respiratory disease associated with ++ secretions, severely debilitated persons.
3. What is the rationale for encouraging the patient to cough before suctioning?
Answer: to clear secretions and to promote oxygenation
Source: Perry, A. G., Potter, P. A., & Ostendorf, W. R. (2017). Clinical nursing skills & techniques (9th ed.). St. Louis: Elsevier-Mosby.