ORAL & NASAL

SUCTIONING

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 LEARNING OBJECTIVES
1. State the purpose for oral and nasal
suctioning.
2. State the contraindication for oral and nasal
suctioning.
3. List the items for oral and nasal suctioning.
4. Demonstrate how to perform oral and nasal
suctioning.

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 PURPOSE
1. To maintain a patent airway by removing
mucous secretions and all foreign materials
from oropharynx.
2. To prevent infection due to accumulation of
secretions.
3. To collect sputum specimen for investigation.

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CONTRAINDICATION
Nasotracheal suction

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Severe coagulopathy and / or unexplained
haemoptysis
• Laryngospasm (stridor)
• Basal skull fractures, or cerebrospinal fluid
leakage via the ear
• Severe bronchospasm
• Recent oesophageal or tracheal anastamoses
• Occluded nasal passages
• Nasal bleeding
 CONTRAINDICATION
Orotracheal suction
• Severe coagulopathy / or unexplained haemoptysis
• Laryngospasm (stridor)
• Acute neck, facial or head injury (particularly basal skull
fractures, or cerebrospinal
• Fluid leakage via the ear
• Severe bronchospasm
• Recent oesophageal or tracheal anastomoses
• Haemodynamic instability
• Loose teeth or crowns
• Intact gag reflex (relative contraindication)

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 CONTRAINDICATION
Others:
• Acute neck, facial or head injury
• Haemodynamic instability
• Nasal/oral burns, due to infection risk
• Raised ICP

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 PREPARATION OF EQUIPMENT
1. Suction machine with adjustable pressure regulator
2. Suction catheters
3. Disposable gloves
4. Plain water
5. Tissue paper
6. Apron
7. Receiver
8. Oxygen supply and delivery device (if indicated)
9. Airway

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 HOW TO PERFORM?
1. Informed client regarding procedure.
2. Give privacy.
3. Assist client to a comfortable position:
1. Unconscious client = lateral towards nurse.
2. Conscious = semi Fowler’s.
4. Put a mackintosh/small towel below client’s
chin as a protector.
5. Wash hand medical asespis.
6. Wear disposable glove.
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 CONTD.
7. Prepare suction catheter:
(a) Open suction catheter
packaging.
(b) Connect suction catheter to
the tubing from the suction
machine.
(c) Measure catheter:
- From nose to the ear lobe.
- Adult 8-12 cm.
- Baby & children (4-8 cm)
- Mark the measurement with
your finger.
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 CONTD.
8. Switch on the suction machine.
- Inspect for the pressure by close the suction
control port.
9. Wet the tip of the catheter with water.
10. Do a nasal suction:
(a) Insert catheter through nasal to the nasal
cavity.
(b) Close the control port with your thumb.
(c) Suck the secretion with a rotation movement till
the catheter is out.
(d) Let go your thumb (each suction 10 second).

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 CONTD.
11. Do a oral suction:
(a) Insert catheter through the site of client’s mouth
(same method as nasal suction).
12. Observe client and the secretion.
13. Encourage client to take a deep breath and
cough in between suction.
14. Rinse catheter. Repeat suction as the above.
- Allow only 20-30 second rest in between suction.
- restrict procedure for 5 minutes only.

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 CONTD.
15. Throw catheter and gloves.
16. Cover the connection tubing with a dry
gauze.
17. Comfort client.

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