Safety and Infection ControlQuestion 1697 of 2368
The nurse selects a suction catheter for a client with a tracheostomy tube. Which catheter size is appropriate?
- Equal to the inner diameter of the tube
- Three quarters of the inner diameter of the tube
- Any size that fits through the tube
- No larger than half the inner diameter of the tube
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Correct answer: No larger than half the inner diameter of the tube
A catheter larger than half the tube diameter can block airflow. The size must not be greater than half the inner diameter.
Source: Nursing Skills, 2nd edition (Open RN, Chippewa Valley Technical College, 2023), Tracheostomy Care & Suctioning: Checklist for Tracheostomy Suctioning[4]. Licensed under CC BY 4.0.
Practice the topic "Safety and Infection Control"Questions last reviewed: 18 October 2026