How do you handle a patient with aspiration?

How do you handle a patient with aspiration?

The management of an acute aspiration event consists of conservative management, observation, and possible antibiotic therapy. Initially, the patient’s upper airway should be cleared and endotracheal intubation should be considered if the patient is unable to protect his airway.

What do you look for in aspiration?

Aspiration can cause signs and symptoms in a baby such as:

• Weak sucking.
• Choking or coughing while feeding.
• Other signs of feeding trouble, like a red face, watery eyes, or facial grimaces.
• Stopping breathing while feeding.
• Faster breathing while feeding.
• Voice or breathing that sounds wet after feeding.

What are aspiration precautions?

Preventing Aspiration Avoid distractions when you’re eating and drinking, such as talking on the phone or watching TV. Cut your food into small, bite-sized pieces. Always chew your food well before swallowing. Eat and drink slowly. Sit up straight when eating or drinking, if you can.

What is the emergency treatment for aspiration?

Emergency department care should start with stabilizing the patient’s airway, breathing, and circulation. Oropharyngeal/tracheal suctioning may be indicated to further remove aspirate.

What is the best position to prevent aspiration?

Body positions that minimize aspiration include the reclining position, chin down, head rotation, side inclination, the recumbent position, and combinations of these. Patients with severe dysphagia often use a 30° reclining position.

What causes aspiration?

Aspiration is when something you swallow “goes down the wrong way” and enters your airway or lungs. It can also happen when something goes back into your throat from your stomach. But your airway isn’t completely blocked, unlike with choking. People who have a hard time swallowing are more likely to aspirate.

When is aspiration an emergency?

Aspiration does not always require medical treatment. However, if any of the following symptoms arise, call 911 or go to the emergency room: choking or a blocked airway. noisy breathing.

What are the dangers of aspiration?

A major complication of aspiration is harm to the lungs. When food, drink, or stomach contents make their way into your lungs, they can damage the tissues there. The damage can sometimes be severe. Aspiration also increases your risk of pneumonia.