The Impact of Different Endotracheal Suction Methods on Respiratory Function: Normal Saline with Chest Vibration vs Normal Saline with Expectorant Mixture

기관내 흡인방법에 따른 호흡기능의 차이

Purpose: Regarding the respiratory function of patients with an artificial airway, this study compared the effects between normal saline with chest vibration and normal saline with expectorant mixture, administered before endotracheal suction. Methods: The study was conducted in the ICUs of one university hospital located in Incheon. The experimental group I received normal saline with chest vibration administered before endotracheal suction while the experimental group II received normal saline with expectorant mixture administered before endotracheal suction. For respiratory function, $PaO_2$, $PaCO_2$, and $O_2$ saturation were measured by ABGA at 3 minutes after endotracheal suction for both pre-test and post-test. Results: The two groups were not different significantly regarding $PaO_2$ level and $O_2$ saturation after the treatments, while, the experimental group II had lower $PaCO_2$ level than the experimental group I after the treatments (t = 2.075, p = .042). For experimental group II, post-test score of $PaCO_2$ level was significantly lower than that of the pre-test score (t = 1.842, p = .075). Conclusion: The administration of normal saline with expectorant mixture before endotracheal suction reduced $PaCO_2$ level and improved the respiratory function.