Anatomy of the Airway (02:55)

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Healthcare personnel trained in airway management can help patients remove secretions. The upper airway consists of the nose, nares, mouth, and pharynx; the Epiglottis protects the lower airway, containing the trachea, carina, and mainstem bronchi. Learn how the cough sequence is stimulated.

Mobilizing Secretion (01:54)

Encourage coughing and deep breathing; raise the patient's bed to help mobilize secretions. Hydration and humidification help keep the mucus thin.

Assessing the Need for Suctioning (01:34)

Verify the need for suctioning by assessing the rate, depth, and ease of breathing and paying attention to the strength and sound of cough efforts.

Nasotracheal Suctioning (10:53)

Evaluate the patient's ability to follow commands and explain the procedure. A suction catheter is passed through the nose to the laryngeal pharynx when using the nasal route. Learn tips and techniques on how to perform the procedure.

Monitor for Complications (03:26)

Observe ease, rate, and rhythm of breathing and heart rate. Vagal nerve stimulation can result in Bradycardia, dysrhythmias, hypotension, and cardiac standstill. Other potential complications include mucus membranes, aspiration, cilia destruction, microatelectasis, and hypoxemia.

Credits: Suctioning: Nasotracheal Suctioning and Monitoring Complications (00:44)

Credits: Suctioning: Nasotracheal Suctioning and Monitoring Complications