NORCET 2 - 2021 (shift-1)
Medical & Surgical Nursing
Easy
What is the size of an endotracheal (ET) tube in an adult male?
Appeared in: NORCET 2 - 2021 (shift-1)
Explanation
- The standard endotracheal (ET) tube size for an adult male typically ranges from 8.0 to 8.5 mm internal diameter (ID).
- An 8.0 mm tube provides a good balance, offering low airway resistance for effective ventilation while minimizing the risk of trauma to the vocal cords and trachea.
- This size is large enough to facilitate suctioning of secretions and allow for bronchoscopy if needed.
Why Other Options Were Wrong
- Option A: A 6 mm ET tube is too small for a typical adult male. It would cause significant airway resistance, increase the work of breathing, and make clearing secretions difficult.
- Option B: A 7 mm ET tube is generally used for adult females or smaller adult males. For an average-sized adult male, it is smaller than the standard recommendation and may lead to higher airway resistance.
- Option D: A 9 mm ET tube is larger than the standard size for most adult males and increases the risk of laryngeal and tracheal injury, including vocal cord damage, pressure sores, and post-extubation stridor.
Related Visual
- Visual 1: Diagram: Illustration comparing the relative diameters of 6, 7, 8, and 9 mm ET tubes to show the difference in size.
- Visual 2: Infographic: A chart showing recommended ET tube sizes for different patient populations (neonate, pediatric, adult female, adult male).
- Visual 3: Image: A photograph of an ET tube with its parts labeled, including the internal diameter (ID) marking, cuff, and pilot balloon.
Clinical Relevance
- Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Endotracheal (ET) Tube Sizing in Adults as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
- Selecting the correct ET tube size is a critical step in airway management to ensure patient safety and effective ventilation.
- Using a tube that is too small increases airway resistance and work of breathing, while a tube that is too large can cause significant trauma to the airway structures.
- Nurses play a vital role in preparing equipment for intubation, confirming tube placement, securing the tube, and monitoring the patient for complications related to the artificial airway.
How to Approach the Question
- Identify the core of the question: It asks for a specific, standard medical value - the ET tube size for an adult male.
- This is a factual recall question. Access your knowledge base on airway management and equipment.
- Recall the standard ranges for ET tube sizes. Remember that males generally have larger airways than females.
- Evaluate the options provided. 8.0 mm falls squarely within the standard range (8.0-8.5 mm) for adult males.
- Eliminate the other options by considering their typical use: 6 mm (pediatric/small airway), 7 mm (female/small male), and 9 mm (very large male).
- Confirm that 8 mm is the most common and appropriate choice among the options for a general adult male patient.
Concept Tested & Keywords
- Concept Tested: Endotracheal (ET) Tube Sizing in Adults
- Stem keywords: endotracheal tube, ET tube, size, adult male
- Lead-in keywords: What is
- Clinical cues: Age/sex group narrows the expected diagnosis, intervention, or normal reference range.
Question ID
QR63EIjF7loCTWYN0r-qNK
Practise the full NORCET 2 - 2021 (shift-1)
Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.
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