7/4 E Cardiovascular & Respiratory Practice Test

Limiting suctioning to what is truly needed protects the airway lining from trauma. Suctioning can irritate mucosa, leading to edema, bleeding, and a reflex increase in secretions as the airway responds to injury. By avoiding unnecessary suctioning, you reduce mucosal irritation and prevent the cascade that can cause more secretions. In practice, suction only when there is a clear need, keep suction times brief (about 10 seconds), use an appropriately sized catheter, and maintain humidification and oxygenation with sterile technique. Choices that push for more passes, repeated suctioning, or deeper suctioning would raise the risk of mucosal damage and increased secretions.