Question

You are caring for a patient whose respirations are supported by a ventilator. You are preparing to suction the patient's endotracheal tube using a closed suctioning system. Arrange the following steps in the correct order.

a) Depress the suction button to apply intermittent suction.
b) Clear secretions from sheath.
c) Turn the catheter safety cap to disable the suction button.
d) Hyperventilate the patient.
e) Grasp the catheter and advance it to the predetermined length.
f) Turn the catheter safety cap to enable suction button.

Answer 1

The correct order of steps for suctioning a patient's endotracheal tube using a closed suctioning system are: hyperventilate the patient, clear secretions from sheath, grasp the catheter and advance it to the predetermined length, turn the catheter safety cap to disable the suction button, depress the suction button to apply intermittent suction, and turn the catheter safety cap to enable the suction button.

Step-by-step explanation:

1. Hyperventilate the patient.
2. Clear secretions from sheath.
3. Grasp the catheter and advance it to the predetermined length.
4. Turn the catheter safety cap to disable the suction button.
5. Depress the suction button to apply intermittent suction.
6. Turn the catheter safety cap to enable the suction button.