Aspiration Question

[harley_fan]

Just a quick question---

When a patient is aspirating thin liquid what is the action that you take? I'm just curious to see what other people do in this situation.

Thanks

[VickyRN, MSN, DNP, RN]

Just a quick question---

When a patient is aspirating thin liquid what is the action that you take? I'm just curious to see what other people do in this situation.

Thanks

First thing would be to immediately STOP the thin liquid, sit patient up (high Fowler's) and assess airway and breathing! Then notify physician STAT.

These should also be of help:

http://www1.us.elsevierhealth.com/MERLIN/Ackley/NDH/Constructor/index.cfm?plan=5

http://www.indstate.edu/mary/carep.htm

http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m3830/is_n1_v43/ai_15162648/print

[leslie :-D]

ditto for what vicki said-

suction if noted w/excess secretions.

notify md who will probably order cxr

if it's aspiration pneumonia, a course of abx.....very serious type of pneumonia.

leslie

[mwbeah]

Just a quick question---

When a patient is aspirating thin liquid what is the action that you take? I'm just curious to see what other people do in this situation.

Thanks

Aspiration should be distinguished from regurgitation. Regurgitation represents the reflux of gastric contents from the gastrointestinal tract into the esophagus (esophageal reflux), pharynx, or the oral cavity. However, the regurgitated material does not enter the lungs. Aspiration is defined as the inhalation of material into the airway below the level of the true vocal cords.

Mike

[pricklypear]

Aside from all the immediate interventions mentioned already : Get a swallowing evaluation. If you get the go-ahead for thickened liquids, make sure you use the chin-down method and don't use straws.