What action should be taken if a patient's heart rate jumps from 95 to 110/min during endotracheal suctioning?

• A. Change the suction pressure at the wall
• B. Change the suction duration
• C. Change the endotracheal tube
• D. Change the suction catheter diameter

Answer: (B)

When a patient's heart rate increases significantly during endotracheal suctioning, it typically indicates that the patient may be experiencing stress or discomfort due to the procedure. Endotracheal suctioning can induce vagal responses, which may lead to transient increases in heart rate, among other physiological changes.

Changing the suction duration is an appropriate action in this scenario because it directly addresses the potential cause of the heart rate increase. Prolonged suctioning can exacerbate hypoxia or cause irritation, leading to further heart rate elevation. By reducing the duration of suctioning, you minimize these effects and can help stabilize the patient's condition.

Other potential actions, such as changing the suction pressure, tube, or catheter diameter, do not directly address the immediate concern of the increased heart rate. Adjusting those variables may not necessarily alleviate the stress the patient is experiencing during the suctioning process. Thus, focusing on the duration of the suctioning is the most effective immediate response to the observed heart rate change.