Final answer:
In response to moderate stridor post-extubation, a racemic epinephrine aerosol treatment is recommended to manage the upper airway obstruction. Monitoring the patient thoroughly is crucial and further interventions should be considered if the condition worsens.
Step-by-step explanation:
If a patient exhibits moderate stridor thirty minutes after extubation, the respiratory therapist should administer a racemic epinephrine aerosol treatment. Stridor is a sign of upper airway obstruction that can be due to laryngeal edema, which may occur post-extubation. Racemic epinephrine is beneficial as it has vasoconstrictive effects that can reduce edema and ease breathing. Monitoring the patient closely is also essential, and if the stridor worsens or the patient's condition deteriorates, immediate intervention, such as re-intubation, may be necessary.
However, immediate reinsertion of the endotracheal tube is not the first step unless the patient is experiencing severe respiratory distress or other signs of significant airway compromise. Heated aerosol treatment with saline could help to humidify the airways but would not address the inflammation and edema causing the stridor.