A 68-year-old man on ICU with ARDS has been ventilated for 12 days. He now has copious thick secretions that are difficult to suction through the 8.0 ...

Question

A 68-year-old man on ICU with ARDS has been ventilated for 12 days. He now has copious thick secretions that are difficult to suction through the 8.0 mm ETT. The team considers options to improve secretion management. What is the most effective strategy?

Accepted Answer

Ensure adequate systemic hydration, heated humidification of inspired gases, and consider mucolytic therapy (nebulised hypertonic saline or N-acetylcysteine); plan for tracheostomy if prolonged ventilation is anticipated

Answer

Instil 10 mL normal saline down the ETT before each suction pass

Answer

Switch to a smaller ETT to increase suction catheter contact

Answer

Reduce the frequency of suctioning to allow secretions to accumulate

Answer

Administer IV frusemide to reduce secretion volume

uk-fficm MCQ (SBA): Secretion Management

A 68-year-old man on ICU with ARDS has been ventilated for 12 days. He now has copious thick secretions that are difficult to suction through the 8.0 mm ETT. The team considers options to improve secretion management. What is the most effective strategy?