Hi everyone! I am confused and need help on a topic that I read in book.
A pt with a cuffed tracheostomy. Before eating, should the RN INFLATE the cuff or DEFLATE the cuff? My med-surg book says to "Deflate" while eating, but other NCLEX books says to "Inflate" while eating to prevent aspiration.
I think "Inflate" would make sense to prevent aspiration while eating. What does everyone think? Or what did you see in the hospitals? Could you please share your experiences and opinions on this?
Inflating the cuff to prevent aspiration is a misconception! Aspiration starts at the vocal cords, if material have already passed the vocal cords and reached the inflated trach cuff, the patient has already aspirated regardless! By inflating the cuff ONLY just creates a resovoir. HOPES THIS helps. SALAZAR RT
Deflate while eating. It is a common misconception that the cuffed trach prevents aspiration. Once the food or aspirate has gone past the vocal cords, well before it reaches the area of the trach cuff, aspiration has already occurred. The trach being cuffed just prolongs this and can even allow bacteria to grow in the aspirated material.
Salazartracy
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Inflating the cuff to prevent aspiration is a misconception! Aspiration starts at the vocal cords, if material have already passed the vocal cords and reached the inflated trach cuff, the patient has already aspirated regardless! By inflating the cuff ONLY just creates a resovoir. HOPES THIS helps. SALAZAR RT