Trach Question

[RN4Little1s]

In regards to rescue breathing, if the trach is plugged or dislodged and the caregiver attempts to place a new one but either cannot do it or there is no trach available - what comes next? Would you close mouth and nose and try to ventilate through stoma? Or cover stoma and use the face mask? I couldn't find steps about this on American Heart Association's website. Thanks!

[SteveNNP, MSN, NP]

I believe the answer I remember is to occlude the stoma and BVM ventilate via the mouth and nose.

[PICNICRN, BSN, RN]

I believe the answer I remember is to occlude the stoma and BVM ventilate via the mouth and nose.

Yep!! That's what ya do! Cover it with a 4X4 though- gets kinda messy with secretions.... yuck!

[Imafloat, BSN, RN]

I believe the answer I remember is to occlude the stoma and BVM ventilate via the mouth and nose.

This is what I have been taught as well.

[marilynmom, LPN, NP]

I work in PICU and when that happens (though it's rare but you always have to be ready for anything! I always keep an extra trach at the bedside) but you cover the stoma with 4x4 gauze and BMV the nose/mouth.

[NicuGal, MSN, RN]

We keep vaseline guaze and 4x4 at bedside...I've had to do that a couple of times...yuck. Or, sometimes the docs can get a smaller size OET in the stoma...like a 2.5 and you can ventilate like that.