N470: Tracheostomies Study Set - Terms & Definitions

Where in the hospital are tracheostomy procedures performed?

- Bedside

- OR

Tracheostomy tube components

outer cannula, inner cannula (may be disposable) and obturator (guides direction of outer cannula and removed after insertion)

What information can you see on the flange of a trach?

- size

- fenestrated or non

- cuffed or non

- disposable or non inner cannula

how to removed an disposable vs a non-disposable inner cannula ?

- nondisposable: twist motion

- disposable: pinch and pull straight out

Trach that has a hole along shaft of outer cannula to allow patient to talk

fenestrated trach (hob often green)

considerations for a fenestrated trach

must have a non-fenestrated inner cannula is the patient is being suctioned or is on a MV

purpose of a cuffed trach

to occlude the airway around the outer cannula of MV is necessary

what can occur is cuff is inflated too much?

necrosis of surrounding tissue

what can occur is cuff is inflated too little?

you can hear air escaping back through the mouth with each mechanically ventilated breath

when trachs are first placed, they are usually __________ to prevent dislodgement

sutured

All trachs have these to keep them in place (even if sutured)

trach ties

considerations for trach ties (2)

- keep on at ALL times

- be able to fit two fingers underneath

one way valve attached to a trachestomy tube that allows for vocalization; patient no longer needs MV

Passy Muir Valve

emergency equipment to keep at bedside of a trach patient

- extra trach set in its box

- ambu bag and mask

- occlusive dressing

- suction equipment

- obturator from original trach tube box (kept in biohazard bag and taped to HOB)