Question

After assisting a pregnant patient to deliver her full-term newborn at home, you quickly dry the infant and open his airway to help begin spontaneous respiration. However, after a few seconds, you realize the newborn has copious secretions in his airway preventing effective spontaneous respiration.

Which of the following should you do to safely and effectively clear the infant's airway?

A. Use a portable suction machine with a rigid suction catheter to suction his posterior airway

B. Use a bulb syringe to suction his nose first and his mouth second

C. With assistance, use two bulb syringes to suction his mouth and nose simultaneously

D. Use a bulb syringe to suction his mouth first and then his nose second

Answer 1

To clear the infant's airway of copious secretions, use a bulb syringe to suction the nose first and then the mouth second. Seek medical attention if the situation worsens.

Step-by-step explanation:

To safely and effectively clear the infant's airway of copious secretions, the best approach is to use a bulb syringe to suction the nose first and then the mouth second. This method allows you to safely remove the excess secretions from both the nasal and oral passages, ensuring that the airway is clear for effective spontaneous respiration. Using a bulb syringe is a gentle and effective way to clear the baby's airway without causing any harm. It is important to note that if the secretions persist or if the situation worsens, it is essential to seek immediate medical attention.