Question

"The nurse is using an in-line suction kit to suction a patient who is intubated and on a mechanical ventilator. What benefits does inline suction have for the patient? (Select all that apply.)

- Decreases hypoxemia
- Decreases patient anxiety
- Sustains positive end expiratory pressure (PEEP)
- Increases oxygen consumption
- Prevents aspiration"

Answer 1

In-line suction kits during mechanical ventilation help to decrease hypoxemia, sustain positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP), and decrease patient anxiety. They do not increase oxygen consumption or directly prevent aspiration.

Step-by-step explanation:

The use of an in-line suction kit during intubation and mechanical ventilation offers several benefits for the patient. It helps to decrease hypoxemia by removing secretions without needing to disconnect the patient from the ventilator, which could lead to oxygen desaturation. This procedure also sustains the positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP), which is critical for patients requiring continuous respiratory support as it prevents alveolar collapse and maintains oxygenation. Moreover, by avoiding disconnection from the ventilator, in-line suction can minimize the patient's anxiety by preventing the discomfort and stress associated with repeated suctioning procedures. Although one of the choices mentioned increases oxygen consumption and another prevents aspiration, these are not direct benefits of in-line suction - increased oxygen consumption is generally not a positive outcome, and while aspiration prevention is a critical concern in intubated patients, it's not directly related to the in-line suction process itself.