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Maintaining appropriate cuff pressure in a tracheostomy tube is critical for ensuring ventilation effectiveness and preventing complications such as aspiration and tracheal injury. The recommended cuff pressure for tracheostomy tubes typically ranges between 20 to 30 cm H₂O. A pressure of 12 cm H₂O is considered to be too low, which can lead to insufficient sealing around the tracheostomy tube and increase the risk of aspiration of secretions into the lungs.

Inflating the cuff to a target pressure of 20 cm H₂O is essential to establish a proper seal while minimizing trauma to tracheal tissue. This action enhances ventilation by ensuring that the air delivered through the tube does not escape, thereby improving respiratory efficacy. It also helps protect the airway from the entry of fluids and contaminants.

Monitoring cuff pressure is a routine part of care and should be performed regularly to ensure that the levels remain within the acceptable range. While deflating the cuff, notifying the physician, or changing the tracheostomy tube could be appropriate in specific scenarios or complications, the immediate action needed when the cuff pressure is low is to inflate it to the ideal pressure to maintain patient safety and optimize the effectiveness of ventilation.