*ETT & SUCTIONING – HIGH-YIELD ONE-LINERS*
1. What is suctioning?
➡️ Removal of airway secretions using a suction machine.
2. In which patients is suctioning indicated?
➡️ Patients who cannot clear secretions by coughing (ETT, ventilated, unconscious patients).
3. What are the sites of suctioning?
➡️ Oral, Nasal, and Endotracheal Tube (ETT).
4. What is the correct sequence of suctioning?
➡️ ETT → Mouth → Nose (from sterile to contaminated area).
5. What is open suctioning?
➡️ Suctioning performed after disconnecting the ventilator (Sterile procedure).
6. What is closed suctioning?
➡️ Suctioning performed without disconnecting the ventilator (Clean procedure).
7. What is the advantage of open suctioning?
➡️ Better sterility.
8. What is the advantage of closed suctioning?
➡️ Reduces hypoxia and infection risk.
9. How long can a closed suction catheter be used?
➡️ Up to 72 hours (according to hospital protocol).
10. What should be the suction catheter size?
➡️ It should not exceed half of the internal diameter of the ETT.
11. What is the catheter size formula?
➡️ Catheter Size (Fr) = ETT Size (mm) × 2 − 2.
12. What if the calculated catheter size is odd?
➡️ Select the next smaller catheter size.
13. What should be given before suctioning?
➡️ 100% oxygen (Preoxygenation).
14. Why is preoxygenation done?
➡️ To prevent hypoxia during suctioning.
15. Why is hyperventilation done before suctioning?
➡️ To increase the oxygen reserve.
16. When should suction pressure be applied?
➡️ Only while withdrawing the catheter.
17. Why is suction not applied during catheter insertion?
➡️ To prevent airway trauma and mucosal injury.
18. What should be done after resistance is felt?
➡️ Withdraw the catheter 1–2 cm before applying suction.
19. How should the catheter be removed?
➡️ By using a rotatory motion.
20. What is the maximum suction time?
➡️ 10–15 seconds.
21. Which catheter is used for oral suctioning?
➡️ Yankauer (Tonsil Tip).
22. Which catheter is used for nasopharyngeal suctioning?
➡️ Plain suction catheter.
23. What is the maximum number of suction passes in one cycle?
➡️ 3–4 passes.
24. What is the ideal position for suctioning?
➡️ Semi-Fowler's position (30–45°).
25. What is the maximum suction pressure in adults?
➡️ 150 mmHg.
26. What is the maximum suction pressure in children?
➡️ 120 mmHg.
27. What is the maximum suction pressure in infants?
➡️ 100 mmHg.
28. What should be done if the heart rate decreases by 20 bpm or increases by 40 bpm?
➡️ Stop suctioning immediately.
29. What should be done if SpO₂ falls during suctioning?
➡️ Stop suctioning and hyperoxygenate the patient.
*ENDOTRACHEAL TUBE (ETT)*
30. Why is ETT cuff pressure checked?
➡️ To prevent air leak and tracheal injury.
31. What is the preferred position for ETT insertion in obese patients?
➡️ RAMP position.
32. What is the full form of BURP?
➡️ Backward Upward Rightward Pressure.
33. Where is BURP applied?
➡️ On the thyroid cartilage.
34. Why is BURP performed?
➡️ To improve visualization of the glottis during intubation.
35. What is Sellick maneuver?
➡️ Application of pressure over the cricoid cartilage.
36. Why is Sellick maneuver performed?
➡️ To prevent aspiration.
37. In which patients is Sellick maneuver indicated?
➡️ Pregnancy, GERD, obesity, hiatus hernia, and ascites.
38. When is Sellick maneuver performed?
➡️ After induction of anesthesia during endotracheal intubation.
PEDIATRIC ETT
39. What is the formula for cuffed ETT size?
➡️ Age/4 + 4.
40. What is the formula for uncuffed ETT size?
➡️ Age/4 + 3.5.
*PIN INDEX SAFETY SYSTEM (PISS)*
41. What is the full form of PISS?
➡️ Pin Index Safety System.
42. What is the purpose of PISS?
➡️ To prevent attachment of the wrong gas cylinder.
43. What is the pin index for Oxygen?
➡️ 2–5.
44. What is the pin index for Air?
➡️ 1–5.
45. What is the pin index for Nitrous Oxide?
➡️ 3–5.
46. What is the pin index for Carbon Dioxide?
➡️ 1–6.
47. What is the pin index for Entonox?
➡️ 7.
48. What is the pin index for Nitrogen?
➡️ 1–4.
IMPORTANT EXAM PEARLS
49. Open suctioning is a __ procedure.
➡️ Sterile procedure.
