SUCTIONING

The aspiration of secretions, often through a rubber or polyethylene catheter connected to a

suction machine or wall outlet.

I. OROPHARYNGEAL / NASOPHARYNGEAL SUCTION

♦ a method of aspirating mucus or other secretions and / or fluids from the nose, mouth, and pharynx
using a suction catheter attached to a suction apparatus

Purposes :
1. To maintain patent airway on clients whose swallowing reflex is
limited in cases of :
a. client recovering from anesthesia
b. Unconscious client
c. Critically ill clients
2. To facilitate respiratory ventilation
3. To obtain secretions for diagnostic purposes
4. To prevent infection that may result from accumulated secretions
General Considerations :
1. Label each bottle with “Oral” / “Nasal”
2. Suction catheter maybe inserted through a nostril if the mouth cannot be opened or access around the teeth is
impossible.
3. Coughing is encouraged while catheter is being inserted to expel mucus blocking the bronchi
4. Suction is “off” or pinched when inserting the catheter.
5. Client should be given the chance to breath between aspirations with catheter to avoid creating oxygen deficit
(Limit period of suctioning at 15 secs. interval and allow 2 to 3 min. rest periods.)
6. Suction catheters vary in sizes :
a. Adults - Fr. 12 to 18 b. Children - Fr. 8 to 10 c. Infant - Fr. 5 to 8
7. Suction devices are calibrated according to three pressure ranges :
a. High – 120 to 150 mm Hg b. Medium - 80 to 120 mm Hg c. Low - 0 to 80 mm Hg
Generally :
Adults - 100 to 120 mm Hg Infants - 50 to 75 mm Hg
Equipments :

Suction machine Bottle with antiseptic sol’n Suction catheter

Gloves Bottle with sterile water o normal saline Clean towel or paper drape

A. PREPARATION

1. Introduce self to patient and verifies patient’s

name
2. Inform patient of the procedure and its
importance
3. Do handwashing
4. Assemble articles and equipment needed at the
bedside
5. Position patient accordingly
a. Unconscious- head flat turned to one side
b. Conscious- semi fowler’s or sitting position
with head tilted forward.
6. Drape patient
7. Check suction machine’s working condition and
adjust the pressure of the machine

B. PROCEDURE

1. Clean nares of mucus if passage through the nose

is contemplated
2. Pre-oxygenate client with 100 % oxygen for 1-2 min.
3. Attach catheter to suction tubing and turn on suction
machine
4.. Put on sterile gloves
5. Dip catheter tip in water to check and lubricate.
6. Measure the length of catheter to be inserted from the
tip of the nose to the earlobe to the thyroid cartilage.
7. Grasp catheter about 6 inches from the tip & gently
pass it into the nares with suction off by leaving the vent
open.
8. Apply suction intermittently by putting thumb over the
control vent intermittently while moving the catheter
around gently to aspirate mucus ( not to exceed 15
seconds interval and allow 2-3 minutes rest periods).
9. Withdraw catheter (suction on) with a rotating motion.
10. Suction sufficient water through catheter to clear
tubing.
11. Rinse and put catheter in a bottle with antiseptic
solution
12. Get/Change to another suction catheter for the
mouth
13. Attach catheter to suction tubing and turns suction
machine on
14. Put catheter tip in water to draw a small amount of
water through it to lubricate the tip
15. Suction the sides of the mouth, cheeks, and under
the tongue in the same manner as procedure #8 and 9
16. Rinse and puts catheter in a bottle with antiseptic
solution.
17. Turn suction equipment off.

C. AFTER CARE
1. Put patient in a comfortable position
2. Do after care of all articles and equipments used

D. DOCUMENTATION
1. Document the procedure and all nursing
assessment
a. Time suctioning was done
b. Reason for doing the procedure
c. Note color, consistency and amount of secretions
suctioned
d. Effect of the procedure to the patient

Lecturer: Jennifer C. Padual, RN, MAN