Performing Oropharyngeal and Nasopharyngeal Suctioning

STEPS

RATIONALE

1. Position the patient in semifowlers position, with his head

turned toward you. If NPS,
position
the
patient
hyperextended
unless
contraindicated.
2. Place the linen-saver pad or
towel on the patients chest.
3. Put on face shield or goggles.

This
position
facilitates
inserting the suction catheter
and prevents straining your
back.

4. Turn on the wall suction

machine,
and
adjust
the
pressure regulator according to
the agency policy.
5. Test the suction equipment by
occluding
the
connection
tubing.
6. Open the suction catheter kit
or, if a kit isnt available, the
gathered equipment.
7. Don sterile gloves; consider
(and keep) your dominant
sterile.
8. Pour sterile saline into the
sterile container, using your
nondominant hand.

9. Pick up the suction catheter

with your dominant hand, and
attach it to the connection
tubing (to suction)
10. Put the tip of the suction
catheter
into
the
sterile
container of normal saline
solution, and suction a small
amount
of
normal
saline
solution through the suction
catheter. Apply suction by
placing a finger over the
suction control port.
11. Approximate the depth to
which you will insert the
suction catheter.

DONE

NOT
DONE

Prevents soiling of the patients

gown during suctioning.
Protects
you
from
contamination with secretions
that
may
splash
during
suctioning.
The suction regulator must be
set appropriately to prevent
tissue trauma and hypoxia.
Testing the equipment ensures
proper functioning before use.

Keeping the dominant hand

sterile prevents contaminating
the upper airways with an
unsterile suction catheter.
To clear the suction catheter of
secretions after suctioning. The
outside of the saline container
is
not
sterile;
it
would
contaminate your dominant
hand.

Ensures
that
the
suction
equipment
is
functioning
properly.

If OPS measure the distance

between the edge of the
patients mouth and the tip of
the patients ear lobe.
If NPS, measure the distance
between the tip of the patients
nose and the tip of the
patients ear lobe.
12. Using your nondominant hand,
remove the oxygen delivery
device, if present. Have the
patient take several slow deep
breaths.
13. Lubricate and insert the suction
catheter.
a. Lubricate the catheter with the
normal saline solution.
b. Using your dominant hand,
gently but quickly insert the
suction catheter along the side
of the patients mouth into the
oropharynx.
c. Advance the suction catheter
quickly to the premeasured
distance (usually 7-10cm in the
adult), being careful not to
force the catheter.
14. Place a finger (e.g. your
thumb) over the suction control
port of the suction catheter,
and
start
suctioning
the
patient. Apply suction while
you withdraw the catheter,
using a continuous rotating
motion. Limit suctioning to 5 to
10 seconds.
15. After
you
withdraw
the
catheter, clear it by placing the
tip of the catheter in to the
container of sterile saline and
applying suction.
16. Lubricate the catheter, and
repeat suctioning as needed,
allowing at least 20-second
intervals between suctioning.
Variation:
Nasopharyngeal Suctioning.
Each time you repeat suction,
alternate nares. Alternating nares
prevents trauma to one naris.

Determines the proper distance

you should insert the suction
catheter for OPS.
Helps determines the proper
distance you should insert the
suction catheter for NPS.

Deep
breathing
hyperoxygenates the patient
and helps prevent hypoxia
during suctioning.

Eases catheter insertion.

Inserting the suction catheter
along the side of the mouth
prevents gagging.

Ensures the suction catheter

will reach the pharynx. Forcing
the catheter during insertion
may cause tissue trauma.
Using a continuous rotating
motion while withdrawing the
catheter prevents trauma to
any one area of the airway.
Limit suctioning to less than 10
seconds prevents hypoxia.

Ensures
patency
of
the
catheter for repeat suctioning.

Several passes with the suction

catheter may be needed to
clear the airway of secretions.
Total suctioning time should be
limited to 5 minutes, however,
to prevent trauma and hypoxia.

17. Coil the suction catheter in

your dominant hand. Pull the
sterile glove off over the coiled
catheter. (Alternatively, wrap
the catheter around your
dominant, gloved hand, ad hold
the catheter as you remove the
glove over it.) Discard the
glove containing the catheter
in
biohazard
receptacle
designated by your agency.
18. Using your non-dominant hand,
clear the connecting tubing of
secretions by placing the tip
into the container of sterile
saline.
19. Dispose of equipment in waterresistant waste container/bag,
and make sure new suction
supplies are readily available
for future suctioning needs.
20. Provide mouth care.

21. Position the patient in a

comfortable position, and allow
him to rest.

Coiling the catheter inside the

glove prevents contamination
with secretions.

Ensures patency and prepares

the equipment for future use.

The
patient
may
require
suctioning at anytime, so
equipment must be readily
available.
Promotes patient comfort and
clears the mouth of any
secretions he patient may have
expectorated.
Promoting comfort and allowing
for a period of rest helps the
patient
recover
from
suctioning, which may be very
tiring.

Date: ___________________
Name of Student: __________________________________
Name of CI: _______________________________________