Final answer:
Hyper oxygenating a patient prior to suctioning means increasing the patient's oxygen levels before performing a suction procedure.
Step-by-step explanation:
Hyper oxygenating a patient prior to suctioning means increasing the patient's oxygen levels before performing a suction procedure.
This can be achieved by providing the patient with a higher concentration of oxygen or by using a hyperbaric chamber where the patient breathes pure oxygen at a pressure higher than normal atmospheric pressure.
Hyperoxygenation is important before suctioning because it helps prevent a drop in oxygen saturation in the patient's blood during the procedure.
Suctioning can cause temporary disruption in the patient's breathing, and hyper oxygenating ensures that the body has a sufficient oxygen supply to maintain normal oxygen levels during and after the procedure.