During suctioning of an 11-year-old child, which action should the specialist take if secretions are difficult to remove and suction pressure is at 85 mm Hg?

In situations where secretions are difficult to remove during suctioning, it is essential to adjust the suction parameters to effectively clear the airway. Increasing the suction pressure allows for a greater force to be applied to the secretions, enhancing the likelihood of successfully removing thicker or more tenacious mucus that standard pressure may not adequately manage.

It's important to ensure that the suction pressure is within safe limits, particularly for children, as excessive pressure can cause trauma to the airway. However, in this scenario, the current pressure of 85 mm Hg may not be sufficient for the nature of the secretions being encountered. Adjusting the suction pressure upwards can provide the necessary force to remove the secretions while still maintaining safety and efficacy.

Other actions, such as suctioning more frequently, may not be helpful if the underlying issue is insufficient suction pressure. Replacing the humidifier with an artificial nose does not address the immediate concern of airway clearance and may actually lead to complications if secretions remain. Instilling normal saline into the airway is typically not recommended in contemporary practice, as it can lead to complications such as bronchospasm or airway irritation without effectively aiding in secretion clearance. Thus, increasing the suction pressure is the most appropriate action to resolve the difficulty in removing the secretions