What it means
A soft, sterile catheter passed through the nose, mouth, endotracheal tube or tracheostomytray-kee-OS-tuh-meeA surgical opening through the front of the neck into the windpipe, usually holding a tube that the person breathes through.trache/o windpipe-stomy surgical openingFull entry to clear secretions the client cannot cough out. A closed (in-line) suction catheter stays attached to a ventilator circuit. A rigid Yankauer tip is a different device, used to suction the mouth.
For the nurse
Give extra oxygen before and after, use sterile technique for suctioning below the throat, apply suction only while pulling the catheter out, and keep each pass to about 10 to 15 seconds. Watch oxygen saturation and heart rate throughout.
Related terms
airway
The passages that carry air into and out of the lungs, from the nose and mouth to the smallest air tubes.
tracheostomy
A surgical opening through the front of the neck into the windpipe, usually holding a tube that the person breathes through.
suctioning
Removing mucus, saliva or other secretions from the mouth, nose or airway with a tube connected to a suction source.