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The nurse is evaluating a co-worker who is performing tracheostomy suctioning on a patient. Which nursing action implemented by the co-worker indicates the need for further teaching?

1) Placing the patient in the supine position
2) Suctioning for 10 to 15 seconds
3) Assessing the patient's cardiac status after the procedure
4) Setting the pressure of the suction device to 80 to 120 mm Hg

User Shikloshi
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Final answer:

The nursing action that requires further teaching in the context of tracheostomy suctioning is setting the suction pressure without considering the patient's age, as standard pressures are 80-120 mm Hg for adults and lower for children and infants.

Step-by-step explanation:

The student's question refers to the identification of incorrect actions during the process of tracheostomy suctioning. Tracheostomy suctioning is a medical procedure to remove secretions from the trachea and maintain airway patency. Each step of the procedure requires careful attention to proper technique and patient safety. The nursing action that indicates the need for further teaching is setting the pressure of the suction device to 80-120 mm Hg. This is because the recommended suction pressure for adults is usually between 80-120 mm Hg, but for children and infants, it should be lower, around 60-100 mm Hg or less to reduce the risk of trauma to the tracheal mucosa. Hence, without specifying the age of the patient, it is hard to determine if the suction pressure is correctly set. The other actions described are typically standard practices during tracheostomy suctioning. Placing the patient in the supine position facilitates access to the tracheostomy, suctioning for 10-15 seconds is within the recommended duration to minimize hypoxia, and assessing the patient's cardiac status after the procedure is important to evaluate the impact of the suctioning on the patient's overall condition.

User Wickund
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