When a suction catheter is inserted beyond the distal tip of an endotracheal tube,which of the following segmental bronchi is prone to injury?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Iatrogenic airway injuries are known to occur as a consequence of overzealous endotracheal suctioning in young infants.The suction catheter should be carefully measured and passed down only to the level of the end of the endotracheal tube in order to avoid direct tracheal or bronchial injury.The most common site of injury is in the medial-basal segment of the right lower lobe.This segmental bronchus is on a straight line beyond the end of the endotracheal tube,and catheters that are passed without attention to the depth will puncture the visceral pleura in this segment.

When a Suction Catheter Is Inserted Beyond the Distal Tip