Post-anesthesia tracheal extubation

Caring for the patient in the post-anesthetic period requires an understanding of the intubation and extubation process. The nurse must be knowledgeable of the numerous tracheal extubation-related complications that can occur. Tracheal extubation is a vulnerable period for the patient; there is risk of aspiration, laryngospasm, a cardiovascular response, or hypoventilation occurring. In this article, the author reviews the more common post-extubation difficulties, risk factors, and treatment modalities. After reviewing extubation criteria and the safe extubation process, the nurse can apply this knowledge to patient care. Although nurses are excellent initiators of tracheal extubation, the procedure is ideally performed by an anesthetist or internist who can treat complications that arise, or re-intubate the patient, if required.