A nurse is preparing to perform sterile suctioning on a patient. What should be the nurse's priority action before suctioning?

Choice A rationale:

Donning personal protective equipment (PPE) is the priority action before performing sterile suctioning. This helps prevent the transmission of infection from patient to nurse and vice versa.

Choice B rationale:

Preoxygenating the patient with 100% oxygen is essential before nasopharyngeal suctioning, but the priority action is to ensure the nurse's safety by using PPE.

Choice C rationale:

Obtaining baseline data on vital signs and secretions is an important step, but it can be done after the nurse has ensured their safety with appropriate PPE.

Choice D rationale:

Inserting the catheter into the artificial airway using sterile technique is part of the procedure but should be preceded by wearing proper PPE to maintain a sterile environment.

Choice A rationale:

The nurse should not rotate the catheter between the thumb and forefinger during suctioning. This action could cause trauma to the airway.

Choice B rationale:

Limiting each suction pass to no more than 10 seconds is an essential practice during sterile suctioning. Prolonged suctioning can lead to hypoxia and potential complications.

Choice C rationale:

Rinsing the catheter and tubing with saline after each suction pass helps maintain patency and prevent the accumulation of secretions, ensuring effective suctioning during the procedure.

Choice D rationale:

Applying continuous suction while inserting the catheter is not recommended during sterile suctioning. Intermittent suction is preferred for safety and effectiveness.

Choice E rationale:

Providing encouragement and support to the client throughout the procedure is crucial for their comfort and cooperation. Suctioning can be uncomfortable, and the client may need reassurance during the process.