Certified Respiratory Therapist Practice Exam

During tracheobronchial suctioning, what does a sudden stop typically indicate?

1. Patient cooperation

2. Equipment malfunction

3. Airway obstruction

4. Clearance of secretions

The correct answer is: Clearance of secretions

A sudden stop during tracheobronchial suctioning typically indicates that secretions have been cleared from the airway. When suctioning is performed, the goal is to remove mucus and other obstructive materials from the trachea and bronchi to maintain clear airways and facilitate effective ventilation. If you encounter a sudden stop, it often means that the suctioning has successfully removed a significant amount of secretions, leading to a clear airway. This is an important assessment in clinical practice because it can help determine the effectiveness of the procedure and inform subsequent actions, such as whether additional suctioning is needed or if the procedure can be concluded. In contrast, other options such as patient cooperation, equipment malfunction, or airway obstruction would result in different clinical signs or symptoms and would not necessarily be indicated by a sudden stop during suctioning. Patient cooperation would manifest through the patient's ability to assist or tolerate the procedure, while equipment malfunction could prevent effective suctioning altogether. Similarly, airway obstruction would typically be signaled by difficulty in suctioning rather than a sudden halt indicating clearance.