SUCTIONING

OROPHARYNGEAL &
NASOPHARYNGEAL
CAVITIES

SUCTIONING

The aspiration of secretions through a

rubber or polyethylene catheter
connected to a suction machine or wall
outlet
Sterile technique

Purposes of suctioning

Remove secretions
Facilitate respiratory ventilation
Obtain secretions
Prevent infection

Suctioning may cause the occurrence

of:

Hypoxemia
Vagal nerve stimulation

CATHETER

Have a thumb port on the side

has several openings along the sides

SUCTION APPARATUS INCLUDES:

1. Collection bottle
2. Tubing system connected to suction
catheter
3. Gauge that registers the degree of
suction
4. Either portable or wall mounted

TYPES OF CATHETER
OPEN-TIPPED CATHETER
. has an opening at the end
and several openings along
the sides
. effective for thick mucus
plugs
1.

2. WHISTLE-TIPPED CATHETER
. has a slanted opening at
the tip

2 types of suctioning
1.
OROPHARYNGEAL/NASOPHARYNGE
AL SUCTIONING

removes secretions from the

upper respiratory tract
ENDOTRACHEAL SUCTIONING
.
deeper suctioning
.
removes secretions from the
trachea & bronchi
2.

EQUIPMENT

Portable or wall sution machine with tubing & collection receptacle

Sterile suction catheter
Sterile gloves
Sterile disposable container for sterile fluids
Water soluble lubricant
Sterile NSS or water
Y-connector
Sterile gauze
Towel or pad
Moisture-resistant disposal bag
Sputum trap

procedure
1.

Assess the need

for suctioning

Suction only when necessary

Establish baseline data

- chest
- mental status
- RR, PR

2. Prepare the
patient. Place the
towel over the pillow
or under the chin

Explain

Positioning

- conscious: semi-fowlers with head turned to

one side for oral suctioning
- unconscious: lateral position, facing you

3. Prepare the
equipment
Set the pressure on the suction gauge & turn on the
suction
Open the sterile suction package
- set up the cup or container, touching only its
outside
- pour sterile water or saline into the container
- don the sterile gloves
- with your sterile gloved hand, pick up the
catheter & attach it to the suction unit
- open the lubricant if performing nasopharyngeal
suctioning

4. Make an appropriate measure and depth

for the insertion & test the equipment

Measure distance between the tip of

clients nose & the earlobe
Mark the position on the tube with the
fingers of the sterile glove
Test the pressure of the suction & the
patency of the catheter

5. Lubricate and introduce the catheter

NASOPHARYNGEAL
SUCTION

OROPHARYNGEAL
SUCTION

- lubricate catheter tip with water

soluble lubricant

Moisten tip with sterile water

Without applying suction, insert

catheter into either the naris &
advance it along the floor of the
nasal cavity

Never force the catheter against

an obstruction

- pull the tongue forward, if necessary

using gauze
- do not apply suction during insertion
- advance the catheter

6. Perform suctioning

Apply your finger to the suction

control port to start suction & gently
rotate the catheter
Apply suction for 5 to 10 seconds,
then remove your finger from the
control and remove the catheter

7. Clean the catheter & repeat

suctioning as above

Wipe off the catheter with sterile gauze

if thickly coated with secretions
Flush the catheter with sterile water or
saline
Relubricate the catheter & repeat
suctioning until the air passage passage
is clear
Allow 20-30 seconds intervals b/n each
suction & limit suction to 5 minutes in
total
Alternate nares for repeat suctioning

Encourage the client to breathe deeply

& cough between suctions
9. Obtain specimen if required
- attach the suction catheter to the
rubber tubing of the sputum trap
10. Promote client comfort
11. Dispose of equipment & ensure
availability for next suction
12. Assess the effectiveness of suctioning
8.

13.

Document relevant data

- record procedure
Oropharyngeal suctioning for 5
minutes. 35 ml thick, greenish
sputum. Respirations 20/min,
wet. Cyanotic. No response to
painful stimuli. Positioned in left
Sims.

SUCTIONING AN
ENDOTRACHEAL
TUBE

Procedure
1. Wash your hands, then assemble and set up the
suction equipment.
- Check the suction and the tubing by aspirating
water through the connecting tubing.

- On the bedside table, place an open package

of 4x4 gauze, a sterile suction catheter, a suction
set or sterile basin, a container of sterile water or
normal saline, and sterile gloves.
- Set up the suction set or sterile basin. Fill the
sterile container with the sterile water or normal
saline.

2. Using aseptic technique, open the

catheter package just enough to expose
the connecting end and connect the
catheter to the suction tubing.
- Don the sterile gloves.
- Using aseptic technique, remove the
catheter from the package and hold it in
your dominant hand. - Test the catheter
by aspirating some of the sterile solution.

3. Pick up a piece of the gauze with your nondominant hand and grasp the patient's tongue.
Gently pull the tongue out of the mouth.
4. As the patient inhales, introduce the catheter
(with suction diverted) toward the posterior of the
mouth and down the throat into the trachea.
5. Apply suction and gently rotate the catheter to
aspirate secretions. Remember to suction for only
5-10 seconds at a time. Withdraw the catheter and
rinse between suctioning by aspirating sterile
solution. This will keep the catheter moist and free
of secretions that may block the lumen.

Procedure
6. Repeat the procedure until the secretions
have been cleared. Remember that frequent
catheter introductions irritate the tracheal
mucosa, so suction thoroughly to avoid
repeated insertions.
7. Observe the patient closely . Listen to
the patient's breath sounds.