Aspiration Precautions
Aspiration precautions are nursing interventions designed to prevent food, liquid, or gastric contents from entering the airway and lungs. Key measures include elevating the head of bed to 30-45 degrees, thickening liquids, and monitoring swallowing ability.
Exam Tip
Always elevate HOB 30-45 degrees during meals and for 30-60 minutes after. Assess swallowing ability BEFORE giving oral food/fluids/meds. Chin-tuck position protects the airway. Report coughing, choking, or wet voice quality to the RN immediately.
What Are Aspiration Precautions?
Aspiration precautions are a set of nursing interventions aimed at preventing aspiration, which occurs when food, liquid, saliva, or gastric contents are inhaled into the trachea and lungs. Aspiration can cause pneumonia, airway obstruction, and even death, making prevention a critical nursing priority.
Risk Factors for Aspiration
| Category | Examples |
|---|---|
| Neurological | Stroke, dementia, Parkinson's disease, decreased level of consciousness |
| Mechanical | Endotracheal/tracheostomy tubes, NG tubes, facial trauma |
| Gastrointestinal | GERD, delayed gastric emptying, vomiting |
| Medication-related | Sedatives, opioids, anesthesia |
| Age-related | Elderly patients with weakened swallow reflex |
| Positional | Supine positioning during or after meals |
Key Aspiration Precautions
| Intervention | Rationale |
|---|---|
| Elevate HOB 30-45 degrees | Gravity prevents reflux and promotes swallowing |
| Keep HOB elevated 30-60 min after eating | Prevents post-meal aspiration |
| Assess swallow ability before oral intake | Identifies dysphagia before feeding |
| Thicken liquids as ordered | Slows liquid flow, easier to control in the mouth |
| Provide small, frequent meals | Reduces fatigue and aspiration risk |
| Encourage chin-tuck position | Protects the airway during swallowing |
| Monitor for coughing/choking during meals | Signs of aspiration |
| Provide oral care before and after meals | Reduces bacteria that could cause aspiration pneumonia |
| Check tube feeding residuals | High residuals indicate delayed gastric emptying |
Signs of Aspiration
- Coughing or choking during or after eating/drinking
- Wet or gurgling voice quality after swallowing
- Fever (may indicate aspiration pneumonia)
- Dyspnea or tachypnea
- Oxygen desaturation
- Crackles or rhonchi on lung auscultation
Exam Alert
Aspiration precautions appear in the Safety and Infection Control and Basic Care & Comfort categories on the NCLEX-PN. Always elevate the HOB to at least 30 degrees during and after feeding. Assess swallowing before giving oral medications or food. Report signs of aspiration to the RN immediately.
Study This Term In
Related Terms
Vital Signs
Vital signs are the fundamental measurements of basic body functions: temperature, pulse (heart rate), respirations (breathing rate), blood pressure, and pain (often called the "5th vital sign"). They provide critical data about a patient's physiological status and are assessed by all levels of nursing staff.
Nursing Process
The nursing process is a systematic, five-step problem-solving framework used by nurses to provide patient-centered care: Assessment, Diagnosis, Planning, Implementation, and Evaluation (ADPIE). It is the foundation of all nursing practice and the organizing framework for the NCLEX.
Care Plan (Nursing)
A nursing care plan is a written document that outlines a patient's identified health problems, measurable goals, and specific nursing interventions. It is developed by the RN based on nursing assessment data and guides the entire nursing team in providing consistent, individualized care.
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