Endotracheal Tube
An endotracheal tube is a specially-designed catheter that is inserted into the trachea via the nose or mouth for the primary purpose of suppressing a cough and secondary purpose of securing a patient airway.[1] If the endotracheal tube, is found in another patient orifice - ear canal, rectum, and urethra are some examples - consider the consequence of a tired health care professional.[2]ref>Tired Anesthesiologist Accidentally Intubates Patient’s Ear Canal (Gomerblog)</ref>
Construction
Most endotracheal tubes are made of polyvinyl chloride, but there are other tubes made with bacon or lard to help improve patient satisfaction scores. All tubes, though, have an inflatable cuff, not only to prevent air leakage but also to ensure a blood mess when the patient self-extubates in the radiology department.[3] Though 99% of endotracheal tubes currently in use are of the nonmusical variety, a new company called Party-Goof is turning heads with their musical endotracheal tubes to brighten an otherwise dismal ICU setting. Early experience with these has been nothing short of positive, with many highly-approving of the "Womp womp womp waahhhhhh” sound emitted at the time of a dying patient's terminal extubation.<[4]
Indications for an Endotracheal Tube
- Inability to stop coughing
- Inability to protect the airway when pronouncing polysyllabic medications
- Failure to stop talking
- Health care professional forgot to eat[5]
Related Reading
- COPD
- SOB
References
- ↑ Study: The Most Effective Cough Suppressant is an Endotracheal Tube (Gomerblog)
- ↑ Tired Critical Care Fellow Accidentally Intubates Patient’s Rectum (Gomerblog)
- ↑ Tip: If You Need to Extubate Patient, Send to Radiology (Gomerblog)
- ↑ Musical Endotracheal Tubes Brighten Up ICU (Gomerblog)
- ↑ Doctor Orders Food Trays for Intubated Patients, Eats for Free (Gomerblog)
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