Which position should the client be in for nasopharyngeal and oropharyngeal suctioning?
Nasopharyngeal airways are flexible tubes with one end flared (hence their synonym: nasal trumpets) and the other end beveled that are inserted, beveled end first, through the nares into the pharynx. Show
Pharyngeal airways (both nasopharyngeal and oropharyngeal) are a component of preliminary upper airway management for patients with apnea or severe ventilatory failure, which also includes
The goal of all of these methods is to relieve upper airway obstruction caused by a relaxed tongue lying on the posterior pharyngeal wall.
Nasopharyngeal airways are better tolerated and are preferred rather than oropharyngeal airways for patients who are obtunded with intact gag reflexes. Nasopharyngeal airways can be used in some settings where oropharyngeal airways cannot, eg, oral trauma or trismus (restriction of mouth opening including spasm of muscles of mastication). Nasopharyngeal airways may also help facilitate bag-valve-mask ventilation. Absolute contraindications:
Passage of the nasopharyngeal airway into the cranial vault through a disrupted cribriform plate has been reported but is rare. Relative contraindications:
Complications include
The sniffing position—only in the absence of cervical spine injury:
Head and neck positioning to open the airway: Sniffing positionA: The head is flat on the stretcher; the airway is constricted. B: The ear and sternal notch are aligned, with the face parallel to the ceiling (in the sniffing position), opening the airway. Adapted from Levitan RM, Kinkle WC: The airway Cam Pocket Guide to Intubation, ed. 2. Wayne (PA), Airway Cam Technologies, 2007. If cervical spine injury is a possibility:
Minimize the risk of nasal bleeding by making sure the pointed end of the bevel is not scraping along the nasal septum; the opening should be toward the septum and the pointed end should be lateral. The following are some English-language resources that may be useful. Please note that THE MANUAL is not responsible for the content of these resources.
Click here for Patient Education What position should the patient be placed to perform nasopharyngeal suctioning?Adjust wall suction. Place the client in semi-Fowler's or high-Fowler's position, if tolerated, to promote lung expansion and effective coughing. If the client is unconscious, position the client on his side facing you to help promote drainage of secretions. Side placement promotes forward drainage of secretions.
What is the best position of the patient for suctioning?Position patient in semi-Fowler's position with head turned to the side. This facilitates ease of suctioning. Unconscious patients should be in the lateral position.
What is best position to suction a patient who is conscious what position is best for suction A unconscious patient?If conscious, place the patient in a semi-Fowler's position. If unconscious, place the patient in the lateral position, facing you.
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