Tracheostomy Care — NCLEX Cheat Sheet
Keep obturator + spare tube bedside
👤 By the CinnaRN Clinical Content Team
🕐 Updated 2026-07-11
🏷️ Physiological Adaptation
🔖 Free to read, print, and share
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Use this quick-reference guide to spot, treat, and prevent Tracheostomy Care on the NCLEX. Keep it handy during review and on exam day!
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- Sterile technique, clean inner cannula
- 2 people, twill ties (1 finger fit)
- Pre-oxygenate before suction
- Obturator + spare trach tube
- Same-size + smaller tube ready
🚩Emergency
Notify / act now
- Dislodged → reinsert with obturator
- Can't reinsert → cover, bag, call
- Resp distress, ↓SpO2, cyanosis
- Bleeding, subcutaneous emphysema
✨Quick Tip
Keep a same-size and a smaller spare trach tube, obturator, and an Ambu bag at the bedside at all times.
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