@nursetik: Aspiration occurs when food, liquid, saliva, or gastric contents enter the airway instead of the esophagus. It can lead to aspiration pneumonia, airway obstruction, hypoxia, and serious complications, especially in patients with stroke, decreased consciousness, dysphagia, or on mechanical ventilation. For nurses working in medical wards, ICU, and emergency units, following proper aspiration precautions is essential to ensure patient safety. This educational poster from Nursetik – Watch & Learn highlights key nursing interventions to reduce aspiration risk. 🩺 Key Aspiration Precautions 1️⃣ Proper Positioning • Keep patient in upright position during feeding • Maintain head of bed elevation 30–45° • Use side-lying position if necessary 2️⃣ Feeding Safety • Assess swallowing ability before oral feeding • Give medications slowly and carefully • Use thickened liquids if swallowing difficulty exists • Consider tube feeding for high-risk patients 3️⃣ Suction Preparedness • Ensure suction machine is ready • Keep Yankauer suction catheter at bedside • Use subglottic suction in ventilated patients if indicated 4️⃣ Continuous Monitoring Observe for signs of aspiration such as: • Coughing during feeding • Choking or gurgling sounds • Wet voice changes • Drop in oxygen saturation 5️⃣ Oral Care • Perform regular oral hygiene • Brush teeth at least twice daily • Use chlorhexidine mouthwash if indicated 6️⃣ Sedation Safety • Avoid excessive sedation when possible • Monitor for over-sedation 💙 Nursetik – Watch & Learn Helping nurses and students understand ICU protocols, nursing skills, and critical care concepts in a simple and practical way. 📈 Hashtags (Best for Medical TikTok) #nursetok #nursingeducation #aspiration #patientcare #criticalcare

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Monday 16 March 2026 14:47:36 GMT