A nurse is educating a patient with a tracheostomy on communication methods. Which information should the nurse include?

Choice A rationale:

Cleaning the stoma with hydrogen peroxide (Choice A) is not recommended for tracheostomy care. Hydrogen peroxide can be irritating and damaging to the tissues. Normal saline solution should be used to clean the stoma.

Choice B rationale:

Changing the ties or straps every 4 hours (Choice B) is not necessary unless they are soiled or loose. Frequent changes may irritate the skin and increase the risk of infection. Straps should be changed only when needed.

Choice C rationale:

Inspecting the stoma for signs of infection (Choice C) is a crucial step in tracheostomy care. Signs of infection may include redness, swelling, discharge, or foul odor. Prompt identification and treatment of infection are essential to prevent complications.

Choice E rationale:

Applying a new dressing around the stoma and securing it with tape (Choice E) is essential after tracheostomy care to maintain cleanliness and protect the stoma. Proper dressing helps prevent infection and skin breakdown.

Suctioning a tracheostomy tube is a sterile, invasive technique that requires a nurse or a respiratory therapist. It is done to remove secretions from the tube and prevent obstruction, infection, or hypoxia. The steps of suctioning a tracheostomy tube are:

Choice D rationale:

This statement is correct. A fenestrated tracheostomy tube is designed for patients with a low risk of aspiration and are weaning from mechanical ventilation. The fenestration allows the patient to breathe through the upper airway, promoting speech and facilitating the weaning process. The fenestration can be temporarily occluded to assess the patient's readiness for decannulation.

Choice A rationale:

Monitoring cuff pressure is essential, but the suggested range of 20 to 25 cm H2O is not universally applicable. The appropriate cuff pressure range may vary depending on the patient's condition, and it should be individualized based on the patient's needs.

Choice B rationale:

Keeping the fenestration open at all times is not accurate. The fenestration can be open to allow airflow during weaning and speech therapy, but it can be temporarily occluded when assessing the patient's ability to breathe without the tube.

Choice C rationale:

The inner cannula is not solely used during mechanical ventilation. It is also used for routine cleaning and maintenance of the tracheostomy tube, regardless of the patient's ventilation status.

Choice E rationale:

Metal tracheostomy tubes are not commonly used for long-term ventilation. They are mostly used in specific situations where a plastic tube may not be suitable, such as when there is a risk of tube distortion or damage. Plastic tubes are more commonly used for long-term ventilation due to their availability, flexibility, and ease of use.