CNST Chapter 25: Airway Management
Exam Questions and Answers (Latest
Update 2026)
A patient with a tracheostomy tube has thick, tenacious mucus that
is difficult to remove. The nurse should choose which technique to
suction the airway?
a.
Normal saline instillation (NSI) before suctioning
b.
Dry suctioning 1 time followed by NSI with suctioning 2 more times
c.
Dry suctioning as long as the heart rate is above 60 beats/min
d.
Dry suctioning -
correct answer ✅D
Normal saline instillation (NSI) into artificial airways is no longer
recommended as standard practice. Clinical studies show that
suctioning with or without NSI produces similar amounts of
secretions and significant decreases in oxygen saturation. Potential
side effects include increases in heart rate for 4 to 5 minutes after
suctioning using NSI as opposed to dry suctioning. NSI has the
potential to increase ventilator-associated pneumonia because
bacteria from the upper airway can be dislodged to the lower
airway.
,CNST Chapter 25: Airway Management
Exam Questions and Answers (Latest
Update 2026)
A patient using a nasal cannula has gurgling on inspiration. The
nurse notes a productive cough but the inability to clear the
secretions from the mouth. Which action should the nurse take first
to prepare for oropharyngeal suctioning?
a.
Apply clean gloves and a mask.
b.
Insert the suction device to the back of the throat.
c.
Remove the patient's nasal cannula.
d.
Connect the tubing to a standard suction catheter. -
correct answer ✅A
Perform hand hygiene and apply clean gloves. Apply a mask or face
shield if splashing is likely. Insert the device into the mouth along
the gum line to the pharynx. Remove the patient's oxygen mask, if
present. A nasal cannula may remain in place. Connect one end of
the connecting tubing to the suction machine and the other to a
Yankauer suction catheter.
,CNST Chapter 25: Airway Management
Exam Questions and Answers (Latest
Update 2026)
After oropharyngeal suctioning of a patient, the nurse notes bloody
secretions in the suction catheter and tubing. What should the
nurse do next?
a.
Increase the suction pressure.
b.
Provide additional oxygen.
c.
Reduce the frequency of oral hygiene.
d.
Check the suction catheter for nicks. -
correct answer ✅D
Observe the catheter tip for nicks, which can cause mucosal
trauma. The nurse should assess the oral cavity for trauma or
lesions, reduce the amount of suction pressure used, provide
supplemental oxygen only if respiratory distress occurs, and
increase the frequency of oral hygiene.
The nurse is caring for an infant who has been vomiting and is
having difficulty breathing. What actions by the nurse are
appropriate for suctioning the infant?
, CNST Chapter 25: Airway Management
Exam Questions and Answers (Latest
Update 2026)
a.
Place the infant in a supine position.
b.
Suction only when a large amount of mucus is present.
c.
Suction for only 30 seconds.
d.
Compress the bulb syringe after it is placed in the nostril. -
correct answer ✅A
Position infants with breathing problems or excessive vomitus in a
supine or side-lying position. Airways of infants and children are
smaller than those of an adult; even small amounts of mucus can
cause airway obstruction. Suction should be completed for only 5
seconds with 30 to 60 seconds in between for the patient to
reoxygenate. Compress the bulb syringe before insertion to prevent
forcing secretions into the infant's bronchi.
A patient on mechanical ventilation with an endotracheal tube
requires suctioning. A closed in-line catheter is in place. Which
action by the nurse is appropriate?
a.
Exam Questions and Answers (Latest
Update 2026)
A patient with a tracheostomy tube has thick, tenacious mucus that
is difficult to remove. The nurse should choose which technique to
suction the airway?
a.
Normal saline instillation (NSI) before suctioning
b.
Dry suctioning 1 time followed by NSI with suctioning 2 more times
c.
Dry suctioning as long as the heart rate is above 60 beats/min
d.
Dry suctioning -
correct answer ✅D
Normal saline instillation (NSI) into artificial airways is no longer
recommended as standard practice. Clinical studies show that
suctioning with or without NSI produces similar amounts of
secretions and significant decreases in oxygen saturation. Potential
side effects include increases in heart rate for 4 to 5 minutes after
suctioning using NSI as opposed to dry suctioning. NSI has the
potential to increase ventilator-associated pneumonia because
bacteria from the upper airway can be dislodged to the lower
airway.
,CNST Chapter 25: Airway Management
Exam Questions and Answers (Latest
Update 2026)
A patient using a nasal cannula has gurgling on inspiration. The
nurse notes a productive cough but the inability to clear the
secretions from the mouth. Which action should the nurse take first
to prepare for oropharyngeal suctioning?
a.
Apply clean gloves and a mask.
b.
Insert the suction device to the back of the throat.
c.
Remove the patient's nasal cannula.
d.
Connect the tubing to a standard suction catheter. -
correct answer ✅A
Perform hand hygiene and apply clean gloves. Apply a mask or face
shield if splashing is likely. Insert the device into the mouth along
the gum line to the pharynx. Remove the patient's oxygen mask, if
present. A nasal cannula may remain in place. Connect one end of
the connecting tubing to the suction machine and the other to a
Yankauer suction catheter.
,CNST Chapter 25: Airway Management
Exam Questions and Answers (Latest
Update 2026)
After oropharyngeal suctioning of a patient, the nurse notes bloody
secretions in the suction catheter and tubing. What should the
nurse do next?
a.
Increase the suction pressure.
b.
Provide additional oxygen.
c.
Reduce the frequency of oral hygiene.
d.
Check the suction catheter for nicks. -
correct answer ✅D
Observe the catheter tip for nicks, which can cause mucosal
trauma. The nurse should assess the oral cavity for trauma or
lesions, reduce the amount of suction pressure used, provide
supplemental oxygen only if respiratory distress occurs, and
increase the frequency of oral hygiene.
The nurse is caring for an infant who has been vomiting and is
having difficulty breathing. What actions by the nurse are
appropriate for suctioning the infant?
, CNST Chapter 25: Airway Management
Exam Questions and Answers (Latest
Update 2026)
a.
Place the infant in a supine position.
b.
Suction only when a large amount of mucus is present.
c.
Suction for only 30 seconds.
d.
Compress the bulb syringe after it is placed in the nostril. -
correct answer ✅A
Position infants with breathing problems or excessive vomitus in a
supine or side-lying position. Airways of infants and children are
smaller than those of an adult; even small amounts of mucus can
cause airway obstruction. Suction should be completed for only 5
seconds with 30 to 60 seconds in between for the patient to
reoxygenate. Compress the bulb syringe before insertion to prevent
forcing secretions into the infant's bronchi.
A patient on mechanical ventilation with an endotracheal tube
requires suctioning. A closed in-line catheter is in place. Which
action by the nurse is appropriate?
a.
