Question

You provide nasopharyngeal suction for the patient and obtain a moderate amount of thick secretion. After allowing the patient to recovery, you reassess the patient's respiratory status. The respiratory rate and retractions have not changed significantly. The breath sounds are less coarse, but they are diminished in the bases. The Sa02 is now 90% on 1.5L O2. E.M.'s mother asks if she can feed the patient, since she has not eaten much for past 3 days. You tell her that with patient's respiratory rate greater than 65 breaths/min, she should not be fed. What is the rationale for holding feeds?

Answer 1

Answer: Risk for Aspiration.

Rationale: membered is having thick secretion and requires nasopharyngeal suction to remove the secretion. Current respiratory status abnormal as work of breathing is increased and saturation is on borderline even with 1.5 l oxygen.

When we feed the patient the chances of opening pharynx is more instead esophagus that may cause him for Aspiration risk

Also he needs extra effort to chew and swallow and this may worse the work of breathing

It is advised not to feed under this condition.