Aspiration/ Consciousness?!
Question: Why would you have a higher risk of aspiration with a reduced level of consciousness?
Answers: Why would you have a higher risk of aspiration with a reduced level of consciousness?
A good example of how a decreased loc that puts one at risk for aspiration is alcohol intoxication. A person in this condition is likely to vomit stomach contents while at the same time are less able to clear their airway by coughing due to respiratory depression. Often they are unable to turn their heads or change position to vomit so the next time they take a breath in, it enters their airway.
A decreased cough/gag reflex is what tell the body that something is going down the wrong "tube". If this reflex is reduced then no effort is made to clear the airway resulting in aspiration.
A tracheostomy/ET tube is a risk because it is a direct and unimpeded pathway into the airway. If not positioned correctly or if the air bladder that compresses the esophagus is not inflated and the person vomits, the emesis will be able to flow back.
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Other Answers (1)
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by cwgrrl7 
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A reduced LOC is very dangerous as patients are more likely to zonk out during eating and drinking, increasing the likelihood for aspiration.
The only reason why we don't aspirate ourselves during eating is because our epiglottis is regulated better when one is concious and able to follow commands. When a patient isn't able to follow commands and is still taking food/drink by mouth, a family member or nurse should be there to pinch the straw or give smaller bites of food. If this continues, a PEG tube may be placed to allot for meals being inserted from a feeding tube directly into the stomach.
The only reason why we don't aspirate ourselves during eating is because our epiglottis is regulated better when one is concious and able to follow commands. When a patient isn't able to follow commands and is still taking food/drink by mouth, a family member or nurse should be there to pinch the straw or give smaller bites of food. If this continues, a PEG tube may be placed to allot for meals being inserted from a feeding tube directly into the stomach.
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