Question

A client at a health care facility who requires prolonged mechanical ventilation has a tracheostomy tube inserted through a surgically created opening in the trachea. The tracheostomy tube also has a balloon cuff. How does the balloon cuff aid the client?

a) Balloon cuff maintains patency
b) Balloon cuff prevents aspiration
c) Balloon cuff assists in speech
d) Balloon cuff promotes suctioning

Answer 1

The balloon cuff on a tracheostomy tube helps by preventing aspiration, which protects the lungs from pneumonia and other complications.

Step-by-step explanation:

The balloon cuff of a tracheostomy tube plays a crucial role in patient care. It is designed to aid the client by preventing aspiration of gastric contents and other secretions into the lungs, which can cause pneumonia or other serious complications. When the cuff is inflated, it seals the space between the trachea and the tube, preventing anything other than air supplied by the mechanical ventilator from entering the lungs.