NAME: Oclarino, Kathlyn Jones R.

DATE: Nov 6, 2021

AIRWAY
SUCTIONING

DEFINITION
It is a procedure routinely done in most care settings, including acute care, sub-acute care, long term care
and home settings
PURPOSE
• Done for removal of secretions from the respiratory tract
• Done for removal of blood or other materials like meconium in specific areas
• Done for diagnostic purposes
EQUIPMENT
• Portable/wall suction unit with tubing
• Sterile suction catheter with Y-port in appropriate size
• Sterile water/saline
• Sterile disposable container
• Sterile gloves
• Googles/eye shield
• Towel/waterproof pad
CONSIDERATIONS BEFORE, DURING and AFTER THE PROCEDURE:
• Choose the proper catheter – small tip for children, consider a soft French for infants &
neonates.
• For infants set wall unit suction at 50 mmHg; for children set wall unit at 95 to 110
mmHg.
• For infants set portable suction at 2 to 5 cmHg; for children set portable unit at 5 to
10cmHg.

THINGS TO DOCUMENT AFTER THE PROCEDURE:

• Record time of suctioning and the nature and number of secretions.
• Note the character of the patient’s respiration before and after suctioning.
• Patient’s response.

PROCEDURE RATIONALE
1. To minimize trauma to airway mucosa,
suctioning should be done only when
Determine the need for suctioning.
secretions have accumulated/adventitious
breath sound are audible
2. This provides reassurance and promotes
Explain the procedure to the patient.
cooperation.
3. Prepare necessary equipment. This provides for organized approach.
 4.
Wash hands.
5.
Place the patient in semi-fowler’s position.
6. Place a towel over the patient’s chest.
7.
Put on clean gloves. Designate one hand as
“clean” and the other hand as “contaminated”.
8. Using the clean hand pic-up suction catheter, and
with contaminated hand attach the suction catheter
to the connector.
9.
Turn on suction machine and test patency with the
saline solution or sterile water.
NASO-OROPHARYNGEAL SUCTIONING
10. Gently insert suction catheter either through the
nose or mouth with the suction off by keeping
the port open.
11.
Once the correct position is ascertained, suction
for 5-10 seconds by gently rotating catheter by
rolling it between the thumb and forefinger
while slowly withdrawing the catheter.
12.
Release suction and withdraw catheter
completely.
13.
Flush catheter with saline solution or sterile
water.
14.
Repeat suctioning as needed and according to
patient’s tolerance.
ENDOTRACHEAL AND TRACHEOSTOMY TUBE
a
Hand hygiene deters the spread of
microorganisms.
It helps the patient to cough and makes
breathing easier.
This protects bed linens.
Helps prevent introducing organisms into the
respiratory tract. The clean gloves protect the
nurse from microorganisms.
Sterility can be maintained.
Sterile normal saline/water is used to
lubricate the outside of the catheter, thus
minimizing irritation of mucosa during
introduction.
Using suction while inserting can cause trauma
to the mucosa and removes oxygen from the
respiratory tract.
Turning the catheter as it is withdrawn helps
clean all surfaces of the respiratory
passageways. Suctioning for longer than 10 to
15 seconds robs the respiratory tract of
oxygen, which may result in hypoxia.
Turning the catheter as it is withdrawn helps
clean all surfaces of the respiratory
passageways. Suctioning for longer than 10 to
15 seconds robs the respiratory tract of oxygen,
which may result in hypoxia.
Flushing clears catheter and lubricates it for
next insertion. Allowing time interval and
replacing oxygen delivery setup helps
compensate for hypoxia induced by the
suctioning.
Flushing clears catheter and lubricates it for
next insertion. Allowing time interval and
replacing oxygen delivery setup helps
compensate for hypoxia induced by the
suctioning.