Medical Terminology Simplified

Medical and Surgical Procedures

Insertion of an endotracheal tube through the mouth or nose into the trachea

(windpipe) just above the bronchi to provide air to patients who are unable to

breathe on their own because of airway obstruction or respiratory failure, as well

as to administer oxygen, medication, or anesthesia (See Fig. 4–12.)

A lighted laryngoscope is used to hold the airway open and helps visualize the vocal cords

before insertion of the endotrachial tube.

138 CHAPTER 4• Respiratory System

Nose sensor

measures air flow.

Wires transmit data

to a computer.

Finger sensor

measures amount

of oxygen in blood.

Elastic belt sensors

measure amount of

effort to breathe.

Face and scalp sensors

measure eye movement

and brain activity.

Figure 4-10Polysomnography.

Figure 4-11Spirometry.

Patient takes deep
breath and blows as
hard as possible
into tube.

Nose

clip

Machine records

results of spirometry test.

Therapist monitors

patient during test.

endotracheal intubation

ĕn-dŏ- TRĀ-kē-ăl

ĭn-tū-BĀ-shŭn

endo-: in, within

trache-: trachea

(windpipe)

-al: pertaining to