When should the nurse suction a patient's ET tube?

Suctioning a patient’s endotracheal (ET) tube is indicated by the presence of adventitious sounds over the central airways, which often suggests secretions that may compromise airway patency or lead to inadequate gas exchange. When adventitious sounds, such as crackles or wheezes, are heard during auscultation, it typically indicates that secretions are obstructing airflow, and suctioning may be needed to clear the airways.

It is important to monitor for such sounds as they reflect the immediate respiratory status of the patient. By performing suctioning in response to these sounds, the nurse can help ensure that the patient's ventilation is optimized and reduce the risk of complications like hypoxia, respiratory distress, or infection.

Other scenarios, while they may raise concern for the patient's respiratory status or need for interventions, do not directly indicate the necessity for suctioning the ET tube. For example, the timing of previous suctioning, such as not having been suctioned in the last two hours, does not itself provide sufficient justification for suctioning if no clinical signs suggest the presence of secretions. Similarly, stimulating coughs and deep breaths may be beneficial in promoting airway clearance, but it is the direct assessment of audible airway sounds that provides the