TUBES LINES AND CATHETERS PATIENT CARE, SPECIAL EQUIPMENT & PATIENT CARE, COMPREHENSIVE EXAM QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS. VERIFIED 2026.

TUBES LINES AND CATHETERS
PATIENT CARE, SPECIAL EQUIPMENT
& PATIENT CARE, COMPREHENSIVE
EXAM QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS.
VERIFIED 2026.




What are tubes used for? - ANS -Access organs and surgical sites

-fluid or medication administration

-decompression

-drain fluids



What is decompression? - ANS removal of gas and draining of secretions by suction



What is a catheter/line? - ANS - Flexible hollow tube

- Inserted to a vessel or cavity of the body



What are catheters used for? - ANS - Install or drain fluids

- Monitors various types of information

- Visualize the vessel or cavity

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,What is a Nasogastric (NG) tube?

Nasoenteric/Nasoenteral (NE) Tubes - ANS - Tube inserted through nasopharynx into
stomach



What is a Nasoenteric/Nasoenteral (NE) Tube? - ANS - Allowed to pass into duodenum and
small intestine via peristalsis



What is an Orogastric (OG) tube?

Oroenteric/Oroenteral (OE) Tubes - ANS - Tube inserted through the mouth into stomach



What are Oroenteric/Oroenteral (OE) Tubes? - ANS - Allowed to pass into duodenum and
small intestine via peristalsis



What are NG/NE or OG/OE Tubes used for? - ANS Therapeutic or diagnostic purpose

Hollow lumen used for:

-Feeding for people who cannot eat regularly

-Decompression or draining

-Radiographic examination

-Medication administration



What are Common NG Tubes? - ANS -Dobbhoff

-Levin

-Salem-Sump



What are the characteristics of a Dobbhoff? - ANS - small, single lumen (one entrance hole)


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,- flexible

- weighted (so it can go down easier w/ the help of gravity



What are Dobbhoff used for? - ANS -for tube feedings



What are the characteristics of a Levin tube? - ANS - Single lumen

- Holes near tip



What is a Levin tube used for? - ANS -Gastric decompression

-Removal of gas and secretions



What are the characteristics of a Salem-Sump tube? - ANS - Radiopaque

-Double lumen

-Drain gastric contents AND suction

-Functions as air vent

-Drains gastric content



What is the function of a Salem-Sump tube? - ANS -Drain gastric contents AND suction

-Functions as air vent

-Drains gastric content



What are the characteristics of Common Nasoenteric Tubes? - ANS - Also called nasoenteral
and nasointestinal tubes

- Weighted ends and peristalsis advance the tubes into the intestines



What are the Types oF NE Tubes? - ANS - Cantor

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, - Harris

- Miller-Abbott



What is a Cantor tube? - ANS - Long, plastic

- Weighted end filled with mercury (not used today)

- Single lumen

- Used to help relieve small bowel obstructions



What is a Harris tube? - ANS - Long, plastic

- Weighted end (mercury) to act as food so body can help it go through with peristalsis

- Carried through digestive tract

- Single lumen

- not used anymore bc of mercury



What is a Harris tube used for? - ANS Used for gastric and intestinal decompression



What is a Miller-Abbott tube? - ANS - Long, very thin plastic

- Radiopaque

- Double lumen

- Weighted balloon simulates bolus of food, promotes peristalsis

- Advances tube into small intestine and terminates in small intestine

- Common



How are Tubes Handle? - ANS - Avoiding disturbing the tube

-Pay close attention to potential artifacts when imaging

- Safety pins may be attached to tube
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