Cough Reflex Test 2025 – 400 Free Practice Questions to Pass the Exam

The best intervention in this scenario is to ensure that the proximal airway temperature is maintained at 35 degrees Celsius. When a patient is intubated for an extended period, such as four days, the air they are receiving is often cold and dry, which can lead to thickened and tenacious secretions. By maintaining an appropriate temperature at the proximal airway, you can help to keep secretions more fluid and easier to manage. Warmed air contributes to better humidification of the respiratory tract, which is crucial for preventing the secretions from becoming overly thick.

Increasing the humidity of inhaled air could also help, as humidification assists in thinning secretions. However, simply increasing humidity may not be as effective as ensuring the appropriate temperature is maintained at the airway. Saline nebulization is another potential intervention that can help manage secretions, but it typically acts as a supplementary measure rather than a primary intervention when thick secretions are an issue. Changing the patient's position can be beneficial for drainage of secretions but might not directly address the issue of their tenacity. Keeping proximal airway temperature at ideal levels serves to enhance both mucosal function and secretion clearance.