| Preparation |
| Clinical Standards for Procedures and Interventions. |
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| Assessment |
| Assess airway type (ETT or tracheostomy) and placement. |
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| Maintains head of bed at greater than position 35 degrees. |
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| Assesses skin and mucosal integrity around the airway and securement device; confirms proper tube fixation. |
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| Implementation |
| Performs oral suctioning and oral care prior to cuff adjustment or measurement. |
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| Connects the cuff manometer to the pilot balloon using sterile or clean technique per policy; measures resting cuff pressure. |
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| Adjusts cuff volume in small increments to achieve a target cuff pressure of 20 to 30 cm H2O using minimal occluding volume or minimal leak technique per institutional policy. |
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| Confirms adequate seal and absence of audible leak during inspiratory phase while avoiding excessive pressure; reassesses auscultation and ventilator alarms. |
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| Performs Airway Suctioning (Inline Closed System) as indicated to clear secretions after cuff pressure assessment. |
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| Monitoring and Modifications |
| Rechecks cuff pressure after patient repositioning |
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| Monitors for signs of underinflation (audible leak). |
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| Post-Intervention |
| Documents cuff pressure value |
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| Post-Intervention Management Steps. |
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