Final answer:
When performing endotracheal suctioning, a nurse should apply suction while withdrawing the catheter, maintain medical asepsis, use a new catheter for each attempt, and limit suctioning to 2-3 attempts to ensure safety and prevent infection.
Step-by-step explanation:
When a nurse is preparing to perform endotracheal suctioning for a client, several appropriate guidelines should be followed to ensure patient safety and procedure efficacy. The guidelines that the nurse should follow include:
- Apply suction while withdrawing the catheter: Suction should only be applied while gently withdrawing the catheter to avoid trauma to the tracheal mucosa.
- Maintain medical asepsis during suctioning: It is crucial to prevent infections by maintaining aseptic technique throughout the suctioning process.
- Use a new catheter for each suctioning attempt: This reduces the risk of infection and ensures that each suctioning procedure is carried out with a sterile catheter.
- Limit suctioning to 2-3 attempts: To minimize oxygen desaturation and potential damage to the airways, suctioning should be limited to a few necessary attempts.
It's important to note that suctioning should not be performed on a routine basis, such as every 2-3 hours, but rather as clinically indicated based on the patient's assessment.