Word parts
What it means
A breathing tube placed during endotracheal intubationen-doh-TRAY-kee-ul in-too-BAY-shunPutting a breathing tube through the mouth or nose into the windpipe (trachea).endo- withintrache/o windpipe-al relating toFull entry . Its tip sits in the tracheaTRAY-kee-uhThe windpipe: the tube that carries air from the throat to the lungs.Full entry above where it splits, and a small balloon (cuff) near the tip seals the airway. It connects to a bag or a ventilator. It is used for surgery under general anesthesia, for clients who cannot protect their airway and for those who need mechanical ventilationmeh-KAN-ih-kul ven-tuh-LAY-shunBreathing support from a machine, a ventilator, that pushes air into the lungs through a tube or a mask.Full entry .
For the nurse
After insertion, placement is confirmed with a carbon dioxide detector, equal breath sounds and a chest x-ray. Record the centimeter mark at the lips or teeth each shift, keep the tube secured, suction as needed, give mouth care and keep the head of the bed raised to lower pneumonia risk. The client cannot speak, so give another way to communicate.
In a chart
"ETT 7.5, 22 cm at the lip, secure; bilateral breath sounds equal."
At a glance
| Abbreviations | ETT |
|---|---|
| Spanish | tubo endotraqueal |
| Also written | endotracheal tubes, ETT, ET tube |
Related terms
endotracheal intubation
Putting a breathing tube through the mouth or nose into the windpipe (trachea).
mechanical ventilation
Breathing support from a machine, a ventilator, that pushes air into the lungs through a tube or a mask.
trachea
The windpipe: the tube that carries air from the throat to the lungs.
airway
The passages that carry air into and out of the lungs, from the nose and mouth to the smallest air tubes.
suctioning
Removing mucus, saliva or other secretions from the mouth, nose or airway with a tube connected to a suction source.