Trach Care
Which type of personal care
products (creams, ointment,
locations or powders) should be
avoided when providing care to
patients the tracheostomy?
Powders
What type of instruction should
be given the patient prior to
suctioning a patient if oxygen is
in place?
Hyper-Oxgenate
instructions
When teaching a patient how to
use an incentive spirometer, do
you tell the patient to inhale
slowly and steadily or exhale?
Inhale while using the
device
What are 4 symptoms that
indicate a patient with a
tracheostomy should be
suctioned?
Visible secretions is the cannula
Patient gasping for breath
Hearing congestion
Lips and/or fingernails have light
blue color
Oral airways should not be
used in conscious patients
due to what type of reflex
being present?
Gag reflex
Is an order required for
oxygen therapy?
Yes
Describe the color and quality
of normal secretions from the
tracheostomy
White or translucent
How do you instruct a
patient with a trach to
hyper-oxygenate prior to
suctioning
Take several deep
breaths with oxygen
source in place
What 3 anatomic structures is
the pharynx near?
Past the hard palate going
through the nose or the mouth
Sterile gloves and techniques
are required to suction what
body area?
Pharynx
What type of suction
devices utilize a short,
stabbing motion within the
mouth?
Yankauer suction tip
What is the most
important safety
precaution for oxygen
use?
Fire safety
Can a patient with tracheostomy
swim in a pool or ocean?
No
If Oxygen is ordered and
applied to a trach, what
additional two things should
also be done to the oxygen
before applied to the patient?
Warmed and humidifed
Considering the tracheostomy
provides a direct route to the
lungs, what is the main goal of
tracheosomy care?
Keep the stoma and
cannula free from
obstruction
What type of suctioning is
provided by using a tapping
motion to cover the thumb port
only during removal of a suction
catheter?
Intermittent suctioning
What type of airway is
contraindicated (not
appropriate) for a
conscious patient?
Oral airway
What substance can
cause death if levels in
blood become too
high?
Carbon Dioxide
Does every Patient with a
tracheostomy require
oxygen?
No
What are 3 things that can
decrease the patency of the
airway?
Increased mucus,
weakness/fatigue, and
thick mucus
What part of the body is
suctioned with a Yankauer
Mouth
What is the correct suction
pressure range to use for
mucus secretions?
80 to 120 mmHg
What anatomical structure does
the endotracheal tube (ET tube)
pass through after the mouth or
the nose?
Trachea
What should the NA II do if
the skin under the airway
device is red and irritated?
Wash and dry with
soap and water
In case of emergency, what type
of additional item is required at
the bed side when caring for a
patient with a new
tracheostomy?
Smaller tracheostomy
set
What 2 frequent intervetions
should be done for a patient
with long term oxygen
therapy?
Oral and nasal skin
care
If the patient starts
vomiting during trach care,
what 2 things should the
NA II do immediately?
Notify the nurse, turn the patient to side
How many seconds at a
time can suctioning occur for
a patient with a trach?
No more than 10
seconds
How should the flexible tip on
a suction catheter be
manipulated in the nose or
trach?
Circular motion
What is an early sign on
hypoxia?
Restlessness