This document discusses the purpose and use of endotracheal tubes. It describes how endotracheal tubes are used to provide artificial ventilation, facilitate suctioning, relieve airway obstruction from swelling, and prevent airway obstruction. It lists five main purposes of endotracheal tubes as providing ventilation, long term airway support, suctioning, reducing aspiration risk, and relieving upper airway swelling. The document also includes pictures of oral and nasal endotracheal tube placement and discusses how endotracheal tubes are inserted by medical professionals.

1. Endotracheal Tube
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2. This week
x This week’s learning unit will explore the
purpose of an endotracheal tube.
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3. Related Reading
• Hess Chapter 19 pp 381-399
• Persing Chapter 4
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4. Learning Objective
x The learning objective is to describe five
purposes of an endotracheal tube, given a
short essay quiz.
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5. Endotracheal Tube
x Here is a picture of an
endotracheal tube.
x The parts of an endotracheal
tube will be discussed later.
x You will have the opportunity
to see and use an endotracheal
tube during your lab session.
This opportunity will provide
you with the hands-on
experience in understanding the
purpose of an endotracheal
tube.
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6. Endotracheal Tube
x Purpose:
– Provide means for artificial ventilation
» Example: Outpatient Surgical Procedure
– Provides long term airway
» Examples: Bilateral Pneumonia, Pneumothorax or
Severe Asthma
– Facilitate suctioning
» Examples: Suctioning due to a weak cough or
Immobilization
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7. Endotracheal Tube
x Purpose:
– Risk of aspiration
» Example: Dysphagia-which is difficulty
swallowing
– Relief of upper airway obstruction due to
swelling
» Examples:
x Laryngospasm-which is swelling of the vocal cords
x Epiglottitis-which is swelling of the epiglottis
x Glottic edema-which is swelling of the larynx
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8. Endotracheal Tube
x Prevent airway obstruction of the “at risk”
airway
–
Reflexes obtunded by paralysis
–
Drugs
–
Loss of consciousness
–
Neuromuscular disease
x It is the relaxation of an anatomical structure
within the airway that causes the airway
obstruction. The most common cause is the
relaxation of the tongue which blocks the airway.
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9. Endotracheal Tube
– Oral placement of an Endotracheal Tube, first
choice in an emergency!
– An endotracheal tube is inserted by trained
healthcare professionals such as a physician,
anesthesiologist or respiratory therapist.
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10. Endotracheal Tube
Below is a picture of an Below is a picture of an
endotracheal tube placed endotracheal tube placed
orally. nasally
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11. Endotracheal Tube
x Recap: An endotracheal tube is used
– Short-term ventilation
– Long-term ventilation
– Removal of secretions
– Protect airway from aspiration
– Airway swelling
– Airway obstruction
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12. References
x Nasco. (2012). Safety clear plus™ murphy/cuffed endotracheal tube -
7.0 mm. Retrieved March 24, 2012 from, http://
www.enasco.com/product/SB35239U
x Patient Education Reference Library. (2012). Airway swelling with
successful nasotracheal tube placement - medical illustration,
human anatomy drawing. Retrieved March 24, 2012 from, http://
www.patientedlibrary.com/generateexhibit.php?ID=3184
&TC=&A=1266
x The Free Dictionary. (2012). X-ray tube. Retrieved March 24, 2012
from, http://medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/x-ray+tube
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