Author Question: The nurse is caring for a client who had oromaxillary surgery a few hours ago. The client is ... (Read 41 times)

NguyenJ · **on:** Jun 25, 2018

The nurse is caring for a client who had oromaxillary surgery a few hours ago. The client is arousable, but is still sedated following anesthesia, and sleeps deeply when not disturbed. The client's respiratory effort is adequate, but the nurse notes the c

Which airways would the nurse choose for this client?

1. Oropharyngeal airway
2. Nasopharyngeal airway
3. Endotracheal tube
4. Tracheostomy

Question 2

The nurse is caring for a client who has sustained a closed head injury, resulting in lack of respiratory effort, 2 weeks ago. Which airway would be appropriate for this client?

1. Oropharyngeal airway
2. Nasopharyngeal airway
3. Endotracheal tube
4. Tracheostomy

bd5255 · **Reply #1 on:** Jun 25, 2018

Answer to Question 1

Correct Answer: 2

Because this client had oromaxillary surgery, an oral airway would not be appropriate, so the best choice would be a nasopharyngeal airway. The client's respiratory effort is adequate, so there would be no need for the very invasive insertion of an endotracheal tube or tracheostomy.

Answer to Question 2

Correct Answer: 4

This client is 2 weeks post-injury, and continues to be unable to provide adequate respiratory effort to maintain oxygenation, so the best airway choice would be a tracheostomy. Endotracheal tubes can provide an artificial airway for ventilation short term, but after 5-7 days they are usually exchanged for a tracheostomy because of the trauma created by movement of the tube to the airway. An oropharyngeal or nasopharyngeal airway would not be appropriate for a client with inadequate respiratory effort requiring mechanical ventilation.