- Provides patent airway for suctioning and bronchoscopy
 - Designed to obtain an airway when obstructions maybe present
 - The nasopharyngeal tube features:
 - Serrations inside airway for smooth passage of catheter
 - Size markingson flange for quick, easy identification while in patient
 - Thin-wall construction with large inside diameter for easy acceptance of maximum size catheter
 - It’s also designed to:
 - Accurately direct the catheter
 - Provide a direct route to the trachea
 - Possibly reduce the chance of introducing oropharyngeal flora into the trachea by preventing the catheter from contacting the nasopharynx
 - Soft materialfor patient comfort
 - Provides an exterior finish for nongrabbing insertion
 - Shields and protects patient’s nasopharyngeal mucosa from adverse effects ofrepeated catheter passage
 - May help minimize coughing and gagging reflex during suctioning