Question

You are preparing to perform tracheal suctioning on a 3-year-old child. Which of the following actions is most appropriate?

a) Use an 18F suction catheter and limit suction to no longer than 20 seconds.
b) Use a 14F suction catheter and limit suction to no longer than 15 seconds.
c) Use a 5F suction catheter and limit suction to no longer than 5 seconds.
d) Use a 6F suction catheter and limit suction to no longer than 10 seconds.

Answer 1

The most appropriate action for performing tracheal suctioning on a 3-year-old child is to use a 5F suction catheter and limit suction to no longer than 5 seconds.

Step-by-step explanation:

The most appropriate action for performing tracheal suctioning on a 3-year-old child is to use a 5F suction catheter and limit suction to no longer than 5 seconds.

Tracheal suctioning is a procedure used to remove secretions from the airway, and it is important to choose an appropriate catheter size and suction duration to minimize discomfort and potential complications. Using a smaller size catheter (5F) ensures that it can fit comfortably in the child's airway, and limiting suction duration to 5 seconds reduces the risk of trauma and hypoxia.

It's important to remember that tracheal suctioning should only be done by trained healthcare professionals and under appropriate aseptic techniques to prevent infection.