مريض بفغر رغامى مع بالون منفوخ يتغذى بالفم، ولاحظ الممرض أن الإفرازات المشفوطة من الأنبوب لونها مثل الحليب الذي شربه. ماذا يعني ذلك؟

A client with a cuffed tracheostomy is eating, and secretions suctioned from the tube look like the milk he drank. What does this mean?

1. Aspiration of food; swallowing must be assessed
2. Increased saliva caused by the tube
3. A bacterial infection of the stoma only
4. A normal leak seen in every tracheostomy client

Answer: A) Aspiration of food; swallowing must be assessed. Food in tracheal secretions indicates aspiration, which can occur despite a cuff. Oral intake stops and a swallowing assessment is requested, sometimes with dye testing or endoscopy.