Soft Catheter: The Right Choice for Suctioning Blood

What catheter should be used to suction blood from the mouth of a 21-year-old patient?

a. soft b. rigid c. french d. bulb

The catheter that should be used to suction blood from the mouth of a 21-year-old patient is the soft catheter (a).

When suctioning blood from the mouth, a soft catheter is typically the appropriate choice. Soft catheters are made of flexible material, such as plastic or rubber, which allows for gentle and careful insertion into the oral cavity without causing harm or injury to the patient's delicate tissues.

Soft catheters are specially designed for procedures that require a gentle approach to avoid tissue damage. When dealing with situations like suctioning blood from the mouth, it is crucial to use a soft catheter to ensure patient safety and comfort.

In contrast, rigid catheters are better suited for procedures that require a sturdier and more controlled approach, such as endotracheal suctioning. Their rigid nature may not be suitable for delicate areas like the mouth, where flexibility is key to prevent harm.

The term "French" in catheters refers to the size or gauge of the catheter, indicating its diameter. A larger French size means a wider diameter, which can affect the catheter's application in different medical procedures.

On the other hand, bulb catheters, or bulb syringes, are handheld devices used for suctioning fluids by manual compression and release of the bulb. They are not catheters themselves but a method of creating suction for specific purposes.