Initial interventions for suspected aspiration

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Specializes in CVSICU, Cardiac Cath Lab.

This is a case study for class and I'm stuck. Patient is on continuous small-bore feeding when nurse notices emesis on her gown. Vitals are T 102/ HR 110/ RR 30/ O2 sat @ 92% on a 35% Venti.

I felt that the first two interventions would be to raise the head of the bed and perform oral suctioning. I feel comfortable that raise the bed would be the first thing to do, unless contraindicated. But is suctioning a reasonable selection? The other thing I could think of would be to turn off the tube feeding. Is this a situation where you would need an MD order to pause it?

The next question is specific to the assessments we should perform, so I didn't think she wanted "assess the patient" as one of the two interventions. Or did she?

AAACK!

thanks for your help!

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Specializes in LTC, Psych, Hospice.

If your pt is on continuous feeding, the bed should ALWAYS be @ 45 degrees. I'd stop the feeding and call the doc. Assess BBS to check for potential aspiration. This pt, or any pt on continuous feeding, is going to be a high risk for aspiration.

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Specializes in CVSICU, Cardiac Cath Lab.

Thanks! Good to know I was on the right track...they always tell us not to read into the questions, but it would have been helpful to know about the bed elevation!

I appreciate your time :)

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