yankauer tubes

[smartnurse1982]

just wondering something i have seen done. Can you suction the nose with the yankauer tube? can it cause damage to the brain, such as cause fluid to leak out from the pressure of the tube? any info appreciated

[RN1989]

There are not many people with nostrils big enough to allow a yankeur to go in very far. Sucking up snot hanging just inside the nose is possible. Attempting to stick a rigid yankeur up someone's nose can cause damage - that is why there are flexible suction tubes. You need to follow all current guidelines regarding suctioning no matter what your suctioning with.

[leslie :-D]

just wondering something i have seen done. Can you suction the nose with the yankauer tube? can it cause damage to the brain, such as cause fluid to leak out from the pressure of the tube? any info appreciated

as rn1989 stated, you couldn't even insert a yankauer in a nostril, unless the pt had mother-sized nares.

if i were to use a yankauer for nasal drainage, i'd sweep around the outer nostrils.

leslie

[Texas Tornado]

Sure, if something is coming out of the nose. Like already said - don't stick it up the nose. I use the yonker to suction secretions from mouth, nose, and around trach. But pls keep it clean b/n uses. I frequently see fithly yonkers and this is really gross.

[BBFRN, BSN, PhD]

You should be using NT sxn tubing to sxn anything in the nares. My guess is that you could cause damage to the nasal mucosa, turbinates, etc. if you use a yankauer. This would be a more realistic problem than sucking out 'brain fluid.'