Question

The respiratory status of a client with guillain-barré syndrome progressively deteriorates, and a tracheostomy is performed. nasogastric tube feedings are prescribed. how should the nurse manage the tracheostomy cuff

Answer 1

The patients suffering from Guillain-Barre syndrome generally results in respiratory failure and diaphragmatic paralysis, therefore, the patient is kept on assisted ventilation. As mentioned the patient is kept on oral feedings through nasogastric true, and as the patient is respiring with the help of a tracheostomy tube, the threat of aspiration becomes high while doing oral feedings. However, this can be prohibited by closing the tracheostomy cuff by inflating it at the time of feedings in order to inhibit aspiration.

Answer 2

Since the patient is on assisted ventilation (as patients with Guillain-Barré syndrome usually ends up in diaphragmatic paralysis and respiratory failure) the patient is on oral feedings via nasogastric tube. But since the patient is also breathing through a tracheostomy tube, the risk of aspiration from oral feedings is high. This can be prevented by sealing off the the tracheostomy cuff by inflating it during feedings to prevent aspiration.