The therapist has been asked to attempt to suction a patient's left mainstem bronchus. How should the therapist try to accomplish this task?

A. Simply insert the suction catheter as usual with the hope of entering the left mainstem bronchus.
B. Insert the suction catheter, and twirl it leftward while advancing the catheter downward.
C. Use a closed-circuit suction catheter system because this type suction system favors left mainstem bronchus suctioning.
D. Turn the patient's head to the right while advancing the suction catheter into the airway.

ANS: D
A. Incorrect response: Despite the chance of successfully entering the left mainstem bronchus with a suction catheter by employing the routine suction maneuver, the therapist must make a special attempt to accomplish this order, and not rely on chance.
B. Incorrect response: Inserting the suction catheter, and twirling it leftward while advancing the catheter downward will not accomplish the task of left mainstem bronchus entry any more than the maneuver performed in response A.
C. Incorrect response: A closed-circuit suction system has no more chance of performing left mainstem bronchus suctioning than does standard open suctioning.
D. Correct response: By turning the patient's head to the right, the angle of bifurcation at the carina for the left mainstem bronchus becomes somewhat less acute, thereby improving the likelihood of entering the left mainstem bronchus with a suction catheter.