The therapist, working at the bedside of a mechanically ventilated patient who also has a closed-circuit suction catheter attached, notices that this catheter system has been in-line with the ventilator breathing circuit for 2 days. What should the therapist do at this time?

A. Replace the closed-circuit suction system with a clean one.
B. Continue using the closed-circuit suction catheter connected to the breathing circuit.
C. Remove the closed-circuit suction catheter, and begin using standard open circuit suction catheters.
D. Adhere to the practice of replacing closed-circuit suction catheters every 2 days.

?ANS: B
A. Incorrect response: See explanation B.
B. Correct response: Unless the closed-circuit suction catheter is visibly soiled or known to be contaminated, it can be replaced on the same schedule as the ventilator breathing circuit.
C. Incorrect response: See explanation B.
D. Incorrect response: See explanation B