Airway Clearance
The purpose of airway clearance is to keep the airways free of obstruction to improve ventilation and gas exchange. This is normally done by the body. When airway clearance is impaired, the body can be assisted.
- Normal airway clearance
- The body keeps the airways free of obstruction with the mucociliary clearance system and coughing.
- Mucus is secreted in the respiratory system to protect the lungs from foreign particles. Cilia move the mucus up to the central airways.
- An effective cough clears the mucus from the body.
- Ineffective or impaired airway clearance
- Caused by excessive amounts or thick mucus that can accumulate.
- Retained mucus due to the tracheostomy.
- Weak or ineffective cough.
- Airway clearance can be achieved with either pharmacologic or non-pharmacologic techniques.
- Airway clearance medications (see concept viewer)
- Suctioning (see concept viewer)
- Bronchial hygiene modalities (see concept viewer)
- Adequate airway clearance helps to avoid airway obstruction, increased work of breathing, respiratory inflammation, infection and irreversible lung damage.
- A child with a tracheostomy is at higher risk to have ineffective clearance of the airways