Airway Suctioning
Outlines
1- Definition of suctioning .
2- Sites for suction .
3- Deferent between oropharengyeal /
nasopharyngeal suctioning and
endotracheal / tracheostomy suctioning .
4- Purposes for suctioning .
5- Indications for suctioning.
6- Choosing the right size catheter.
Outlines Cont’
7- Setting the correct pressure .
8- The procedure .
9- Documentation.
10- Complications of suctioning .
11- Techniques to minimize or decrease the
complications .
Suctioning
Definition
Aspirating secretion through a catheter
connected to a suction machine or wall
suction outlet.
Nasopharyngeal Oropharyngeal
Sites for Suctioning
Endotracheal.
Tracheostomy
Deferent between Oropharyngeal
/Nasopharyngeal suctioning and Endotracheal/
tracheostomy suctioning
Oropharyngeal Endotracheal/Tracheostomy
/Nasopharyngeal suctioning
suctioning
Remove secretion from Remove secretion from the trachea
the upper respiratory tract and bronchi or the lower respiratory
. tract .
P
U Tracheal/
Oral / Nasal R Endotracheal
suction P
O suction
1- maintain S
E Remove
oral/ nasal
S pulmonary
hygiene. of
secretions in
2- comfort for S
u patients who
the patient.
C are unable to
3- remove T
cough and clear
blood and I
O their own
vomit in an
N secretions
emergency I
effectively.
situation. N
G
Indications
Oropharyngeal and
Nasopharyngeal suctioning
required for:
1- Patient who has undergone head and
neck surgery.
2- Signs of respiratory distress .
3- Evidence of unable to cough up and
expectorate secreations .
Indications Cont’
5- Obtain sample of secretion for diagnostic
purposes
6- Prevent infection.
Tracheal suctioning required for :
1- Patients unable to clear their secretions
themselves.
2- patients with mechanical ventilation.
Choosing the Right Size
Catheter
Size
Adult #12 to #18
Children #8 to # 10
Infant # 5 to #8
• Half the diameter (or less) of the tracheal
tube.
Choosing the Right Size
Catheter Cont’
Tow types of suctioning catheter :
1- Whistle – tipped catheter .
2- Open – tipped catheter .
whistle – tipped open – tipped catheter
catheter
Less irritate the airway More effective for removing
thick mucus plugs .
Setting the Correct
Pressure
Wall Unit Portable Unite
Adult 100to 120 mm Hg . 10 to 15 mm Hg
Child 95 to 110 mm Hg . 5 to 10 mm Hg
Infant 50 to 95 mm Hg . 2 to 5 mm Hg
The
procedure
E
Q 1- Towel or moisture – resistant pad .
U 2- Portable or wall suctioning
I machine with tubing and collection
P receptor.
M 3- sterile deposable container for
E fluids .
N 4- Sterile normal saline or water.
T
The procedure Cont’
E
Q 5- Sterile gloves .
U 6- Goggles or face shield .
I 7- Sterile Suction Catheter kit .
P 8- Water – soluble lubricant .
M 10- sterile gauzes.
E 11- Moisture resistant disposable bag.
N 12- Sputum trap .
T
The procedure Cont’
4- position the patient.
Conscious patient Unconscious patient
Semi – Fowler’s position Lateral position and the
with: patient facing you .
✓head turned to one side
for oral suctioning .
✓For nasal suctioning
with the neck
hyperextended.
The procedure Cont’
5- prepare the equipment .
6- make approximate measure of the depth
for the insertion of the catheter and test the
equipment .
7- lubricate and introduce the catheter :
The procedure Cont’
▪ For Oropharyngeal
suctioning :
✓Pull the tongue
forward .
✓Do not apply suction
during insertion .
✓Advance the
catheter about 10 to 15
cm along on side of
the mouth into
oropharynx.
The procedure Cont’
▪ For Nasopharyngeal
suction
✓Advance the
catheter along the
nasal cavity with out
suctioning.
✓ Never force the
catheter against an
obstruction .
The procedure Cont’
8- Perform suctioning .
9- clean the catheter and apply suction again :
✓Wipe off the catheter with sterile
gauze.
✓Flash the catheter with sterile water or
saline.
✓Relubricate the catheter and repeat
suctioning until the air passage is clear.
The procedure Cont’
✓Allow 20 t0 30 second intervals
between each suction and limit
suctioning to 5 minutes in total .
✓Alternate nares for repeat suctioning.
✓Encourage the client to breath deeply
and to cough between suctioning .
The procedure Cont’
10 – Obtain specimen if required.
11- promote the patient comfort .
12- Dispose of equipment and ensure
availability for the next suction .
13- Assess the effectiveness of suctioning .
The procedure Cont’
11- promote the patient comfort .
12- Dispose of equipment and ensure
availability for the next suction .
13- Assess the effectiveness of suctioning .
Documentation
➢The amount .
➢Consistency .
• Record the ➢Color .
procedure : ➢Odor of the mucus .
➢Client breathing status
before and after.
• If the technique is carried out frequently it
may be appropriate to record only once , how
ever the frequency of suctioning must be
record
Hypoxemia Trauma to
the airway
Complications
Cardiac
Nosocomial
dysrhythmia
infection
Techniques to Minimize or Decrease
the Complications
1- Suction only as needed .
2- sterile technique .
3- Hyperinflation .
4- Hyperoxygenation .
5- safe catheter size .
6- No saline instillation.
Thank you for your
listening
