Pooling of secretions in tracheostomy care is best prevented by which practice?

• A. Frequent suctioning
• B. Decreasing humidification
• C. Leaving tube in place
• D. Encouraging patient to cough only when necessary

Answer: (A)

Pooling of secretions occurs when secretions collect in the tracheostomy tube and trachea, risking airway obstruction and infection. The best way to prevent this is by removing secretions through suctioning as needed. Regular suctioning directly clears the airway, maintaining patency and reducing the chance that secretions will pool. Keeping humidification adequate also helps because it keeps secretions thinner and easier to clear; decreasing humidification would make secretions thicker and more prone to pooling. Simply leaving the tube in place without clearance and encouraging coughing only when necessary do not actively remove secretions and thus do not prevent pooling.