RT Book, Section A1 Bassi, Gianluigi Li A2 Tobin, Martin J. SR Print(0) ID 57078241 T1 Chapter 52. Airway Secretions and Suctioning T2 Principles and Practice of Mechanical Ventilation, 3e YR 2013 FD 2013 PB The McGraw-Hill Companies PP New York, NY SN 978-0-07-173626-8 LK accessmedicine.mhmedical.com/content.aspx?aid=57078241 RD 2024/03/28 AB Retention of airway secretions in patients on invasive mechanical ventilation constitutes a common problem associated with several complications. Therefore, secretion management represents a great challenge for respiratory therapists, nurses, and physicians, particularly in the patient with underlying airways disorders. This chapter discusses management of airway secretions in mechanically ventilated patients, focusing on physiology of mucus production, clearance, and the most common treatments, both pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic, to enhance removal of retained secretions. Although adequate humidification of the inspired gas plays a primary role on mucus clearance, the reader is referred to Chapter 51 for a comprehensive discussion of this topic.