Question

You have intubated and are currently ventilating a COPD patient with chronic bronchitis. During​ ventilations, you notice the high airway pressure alarm keeps​ sounding, despite your knowledge that the ET tube is placed properly and you have bilateral breath sounds. Given​ this, what can be done while suctioning the trachea of this patient to help extract the heavy​ mucus?

Answer 1

To alleviate high airway pressure in a ventilated COPD patient with chronic bronchitis, it's necessary to aid mucus extraction by thinning and loosening the mucus using a heated humidifier and mucolytic agents, along with careful suctioning of the trachea.

Step-by-step explanation:

When ventilating a COPD patient with chronic bronchitis who has high airway pressure alarms sounding despite proper endotracheal tube placement and bilateral breath sounds, it may be necessary to address the heavy mucus in the patient's airway. Given that the bronchi and bronchioles are lined with cilia that move mucus out of the airways, and that mucus is produced as a protective substance, too much mucus due to inflammation, as seen in bronchitis, can clog these pathways and affect breathing.

To assist in extracting the heavy mucus during tracheal suctioning, it is beneficial to use techniques that thin and loosen the mucus. Hydration is crucial, and in a clinical setting, a heated humidifier may be attached to the ventilator circuit. Additionally, administering medications such as mucolytic agents can help break down the mucus, making suctioning more effective. Ensuring that suctioning is performed carefully and efficiently can prevent further complications associated with high airway pressure due to mucus plugs.