Question

1. What precautions need to be taken when suctioning the tracheostomy?
2. During your assessment of Cara, you note she responds to her mother’s voice by turning to and tracking of the sound. She rolls form her back to her side with no evidence of head lag. She is unable to sit up without support and does not verbalize. Her palmar grasp has disappeared; and she is able to demonstrate pincer grasp. How does Cara compare to other children at this age?
3. Following a chest x-ray and culture, Cara is diagnosed with streptococcal pneumonia and prescribed cefazolin sodium 200 mg IV every 8 hours. Why is this medication prescribed? Is this dose safe? Would you question the dosage?
4. How would you best respond to Carolyn’s needs?

Answer 1

Precautions need to be taken when suctioning the tracheostomy

• The catheter should not be left behind the tracheostomy tube for more than 10 seconds as the patient will develop breathing difficulty.
• Let the patient breathe themselves after the suctioning.
• Oxygen saturation and lung sounds should be checked which are the indicators of suctioning
• The catheter should not be forced into the tube if there is any resistance.
• Clean the catheter in sterile water as it prevents infection.
• Do not give suction if the catheter is in the tracheostomy tube as it can exhaust oxygen.