my worst fear.

Published

There's lots of things I can deal with, feces, urine, vomit. Most gross things I can handle. But I was wondering if CNA's have to change the phlegm sucker. Sorry not sure of the right term for it. I just know when my grandma was sick she had one to suck the phlegm from her mouth and throat and it went into this container on the wall. Anyways it completely grosses me out just thinking of it. Is is a CNA task to record/empty this thing? I want to know if I need to get myself mentally prepared for it or if I'll be dodging a bullet.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I can't say 100% sure about every place but I do believe that is equipment that is specialized for nurses to take care of and I personally never knew CNAs having to work with them.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I REALLY hope so. Thank you!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Depends on the facility. Every place I've worked the aides could (and with varying frequency did) change the wall canisters of whatever liquid they contained. Drop in the solidifying gel, bag it and done. You can get used to anything, honest :)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Pediatric.

I'm a nurse and it's the suction canister:) If there was something one of the CNA's on my floor didn't want to do I would be more than happy to go help them. We definitely all have our pet peeves!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Reproductive & Public Health.

Haha I like the term phlegm sucked better than suction canister!!!

I too have a thing about phlegm. Suctioning trachs and doing oral/vent care leaves me queasy and lightheaded. Give me c-diff diarrhea over a canister filled with old chunky phlegm any day!

Now, baby mucous is another story. Don't mind it one bit, which is good bc I work in L&D :) we get alllll sorts of bodily fluids over here.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Pediatric.
Haha I like the term phlegm sucked better than suction canister!!!

I too have a thing about phlegm. Suctioning trachs and doing oral/vent care leaves me queasy and lightheaded. Give me c-diff diarrhea over a canister filled with old chunky phlegm any day!

Now, baby mucous is another story. Don't mind it one bit, which is good bc I work in L&D :) we get alllll sorts of bodily fluids over here.

Yeah it made me laugh! Haha!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I personally think points should be awarded for correctly spelling 'phlegm' :D

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Call me weird, but I love suctioning people out! Everyone on my floor hates it so I'm always the person they come to. In my hospital CNA's can Yankauer suction, but only respiratory can NG suction and we have to have a Dr's order for NG suction. I just think of it as a way to help the pt's breath better and prevent aspiration and any thought goes directly out of my mind of nasty. Which I also sometimes have to remember that I am one of those individuals who are always wanting to see the most gross and foul thing on our floor every time I come to work. My interest in disgusting things is so well known that other techs have come from other floors to have me help with a dressing change they couldn't stomach. Suctioning out phlegm isn't anywhere near as bad as when a pt has a bowel obstruction and they are essentially getting poopy bile suctioned out of their stomach. That stuff does have a certain odor you don't forget. My advice is to just dive in and see what actually bothers you. You will be surprised how much you can handle. Good luck!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
You will be surprised how much you can handle. Good luck!

I hope this this proves to be true. And hopefully I will encounter someone I can trade a task off with. Ill do something they dislike for something that doesn't bother me. And vise versa.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

We have a nurse who will take care of the bloodiest, smelliest, and largest mess on the floor but will gag at the sight or sound of phlegm. A patient hacks a loogie in the ER and he's assigned to that patient? He's out of there. I am the same way; phlegm and sputum samples make me gag.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion