Final answer:
To suction a patient, a catheter is inserted into the airway to remove secretions. This procedure is often necessary during or after surgery, or in patients who cannot clear their airway independently. This process is entirely different from using antibiotics, bandages, or physical therapy.
Step-by-step explanation:
The correct way to suction the patient is by inserting a catheter into the airway to remove secretions (option c). This is a common medical procedure carried out in cases where the patient cannot clear secretions from the airway due to various reasons, such as general anesthesia, certain medical conditions, or after surgery. The process of suctioning involves the introduction of a sterile suction catheter into the patient's airway, reaching into the trachea to remove mucus, saliva, blood, or other secretions.
The procedure of endotracheal intubation may be used to ensure that the airway remains open, especially during surgery, when the muscles necessary for breathing and keeping the airway clear might not function adequately.
In suctioning, neither antibiotics, bandages, nor physical therapy are used; these are incorrect for the context of clearing a patient's airway of secretions.