Moderate

A patient with a tracheostomy begins gagging and vomiting during suctioning. Which action should the nurse take first?

Correct answer: B. Stop suctioning and turn the patient to the side

  • A. Continue suctioning until secretions clear
  • B. Stop suctioning and turn the patient to the side
  • C. Instil normal saline through the tracheostomy
  • D. Increase the suction pressure and continue

Explanation

Suctioning must stop immediately when gagging and vomiting occur to reduce trauma and aspiration risk. Turning the patient to the side helps drain vomitus, after which the airway and oxygenation are reassessed.

Submitted by a TestUstad contributor and published by the TestUstad editorial teamLast updated
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About Oxygen Therapy and Airway Care

Airway care includes positioning, suctioning, coughing and deep-breathing exercises, incentive spirometry, oxygen delivery devices and humidification. Questions address indications, flow rates, safety precautions and monitoring for hypoxia or oxygen toxicity, while distinguishing nasal cannula, simple mask, non-rebreather mask and Venturi mask use.

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