Catheter Size for Suctioning an Adult's Airway

What is the appropriate size catheter for suctioning an adult's airway?

a) 8-French
b) 12-French
c) 16-French
d) 20-French
Final answer: The appropriate size catheter for suctioning an adult's airway is 14-French.

Answer:

The appropriate size catheter for suctioning an adult's airway is 14-French.

Choosing the right size catheter for suctioning an adult's airway is crucial for effective and safe removal of secretions. In critical care settings, a 14-French catheter is commonly used for this purpose.

A French catheter size refers to the outer diameter of the catheter tip. Using a smaller catheter, such as 8-French or 12-French, may not effectively remove secretions, while a larger catheter like 16-French or 20-French could potentially cause injury or trauma to the airway.

Although the size of the catheter used to suction an adult's airway typically falls between 12-French to 16-French (options b and c), it's important to assess each individual case to determine the most appropriate size. Every patient may have unique airway characteristics that require careful consideration.

Performing suctioning procedures on the airway should always be done with the utmost care to minimize the risk of obstructing the airflow and causing harm. It is an essential aspect of airway management in healthcare settings.