PROCEDURE CHECKLIST

Chapter 35: Collecting a Suctioned Specimen

Check (3) Yes or No

PROCEDURE STEPS Yes No COMMENTS

1. Positions patient in a high or
semi-Fowler’s position.
2. Drapes a towel or linen-saver
pad over the patient’s chest.
3. If the patient has an abdominal
or chest incision, has the patient
splint the incision with a pillow.
4. Administers oxygen to the
patient, if indicated.
5. Prepares the suction device and
makes sure it is functioning
properly.
6. Dons protective eye wear.
7. Attaches the suction tubing to the
male adapter of the inline sputum
specimen container.
8. Dons sterile gloves.
9. Attaches the sterile suction
catheter to the rubber tubing of the
inline sputum specimen container.
10. Lubricates the suction catheter
with sterile saline solution.
11. Inserts the tip of the suction
catheter gently through the
nasopharynx, endotracheal tube, or
tracheostomy tube and advances it
into the trachea. (See Procedure
Checklist Chapter 35: Performing
Tracheostomy Care or Procedure
Checklist Chapter 35: Performing
Oropharyngeal and Nasopharyngeal
Suctioning.).
12. When the patient begins
coughing, applies suction for 5 to 10
seconds to collect the specimen.
13. If an adequate specimen (5 to 10
mL) is not obtained, allows the
patient to rest for 1 minute and then
repeats the procedure. Administers
oxygen to the patient at this time, if

Copyright © 2007, F. A. Davis Company, Wilkinson & Van Leuven/Procedure Checklists for Fundamentals of Nursing
indicated.
14. When an adequate specimen is
collected, discontinues suction, then
gently removes the suction catheter.
15. Removes the suction catheter
from the specimen container and
disposes of the catheter in the
appropriate container.
16. Removes the suction tubing from
the specimen container and connects
the rubber tubing on the specimen
container to the plastic adapter.
17. If sputum comes in contact with
the outside of the specimen
container, cleans it with a
disinfectant according to agency
policy.
18. Labels the specimen container
with a patient identification label
that contains the name of the test and
collection date and time.
19. Sends the specimen to the
laboratory immediately or
refrigerates it if transport might be
delayed.

Recommendation: Pass ______ Needs more practice ______

Student: Date:

Instructor: Date:

Copyright © 2007, F. A. Davis Company, Wilkinson & Van Leuven/Procedure Checklists for Fundamentals of Nursing