The Effects of Endotracheal Suctioning on Pain and Serum Markers

Description

The goal of this experimental study is to understand if endotracheal tube (ETT) suctioning increases pain and causes stress on the body in intubated adult ICU patients. These patients are already on ventilators, which means they need suctioning to keep their airways clear, but this procedure may be uncomfortable and cause stress. The main questions this study aims to answer are: Does ETT suctioning raise pain levels as measured by the Critical-Care Pain Observation Tool (CPOT)? Does ETT suctioning increase certain chemicals in the blood (hypoxanthine, xanthine, and uric acid) that show stress and lack of oxygen in the body? Researchers will compare patients who have ETT suctioning (intervention group) with those who do not have suctioning during the study period (control group) to see if there are differences in pain and blood markers of stress. Participants will: Have pain measured before and after suctioning using the CPOT. Have blood samples taken from an existing line at three time points: 5 minutes before, 5 minutes after, and 30 minutes after suctioning. Provide demographic information (like age, gender, and diagnosis) from medical records. This research will help improve how pain is managed for ICU patients who cannot speak for themselves, potentially leading to better pain relief methods in the future.

Conditions

Intensive Care Unit ICU, Intubation, Critical Illness, Mechanical Ventilation, Pain Measurement, Pain, Procedural, Oxidative Stress, Hypoxia, Biomarkers / Blood, Adult, Uric Acid, Sepsis, COVID, Influenza, Pneumonia

Study Overview

Study Details

Study overview

The goal of this experimental study is to understand if endotracheal tube (ETT) suctioning increases pain and causes stress on the body in intubated adult ICU patients. These patients are already on ventilators, which means they need suctioning to keep their airways clear, but this procedure may be uncomfortable and cause stress. The main questions this study aims to answer are: Does ETT suctioning raise pain levels as measured by the Critical-Care Pain Observation Tool (CPOT)? Does ETT suctioning increase certain chemicals in the blood (hypoxanthine, xanthine, and uric acid) that show stress and lack of oxygen in the body? Researchers will compare patients who have ETT suctioning (intervention group) with those who do not have suctioning during the study period (control group) to see if there are differences in pain and blood markers of stress. Participants will: Have pain measured before and after suctioning using the CPOT. Have blood samples taken from an existing line at three time points: 5 minutes before, 5 minutes after, and 30 minutes after suctioning. Provide demographic information (like age, gender, and diagnosis) from medical records. This research will help improve how pain is managed for ICU patients who cannot speak for themselves, potentially leading to better pain relief methods in the future.

The Impact of Endotracheal Suctioning on Pain, Hypoxia, and Oxidative Stress Biomarkers in Intubated Adult ICU Patients: A Controlled Trial

The Effects of Endotracheal Suctioning on Pain and Serum Markers

Condition
Intensive Care Unit ICU
Intervention / Treatment

-

Contacts and Locations

Loma Linda

Loma Linda University Medical Center Troesh Medical Campus, Loma Linda, California, United States, 92354

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

For general information about clinical research, read Learn About Studies.

Eligibility Criteria

  • * Adults (aged 18 years and older)
  • * Current diagnosis of flu, pneumonia, COVID, or sepsis
  • * Intubated and receiving mechanical ventilation.
  • * Have arterial lines placed
  • * Require endotracheal suctioning as part of their care
  • * Patients receiving neuromuscular blocking agents
  • * Contraindications for blood draws (hemoglobin levels below 8.0 g/dL; Jehovah's Witness)

Ages Eligible for Study

18 Years to

Sexes Eligible for Study

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Collaborators and Investigators

Loma Linda University,

Elizabeth Johnston Taylor, PhD, FAAN, PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR, Loma Linda University School of Nursing

Study Record Dates

2026-01