The document provides checklists for suctioning endotracheal tubes, tracheostomy tubes, the oropharynx, and nasopharynx. It outlines the steps for each procedure, including preparing supplies, positioning the patient, inserting and withdrawing the suction catheter, and documenting the results. The goal is to clear secretions from the airway to maintain a patent airway and prevent respiratory infections. The checklists help ensure all critical steps are followed to safely and effectively perform suctioning.

1. Suctioning Checklists
Sarju Maharjan
B.Sc. Nursing
Asian College For Advance Studies
CCNT 19th batch , ANIAS

2. Introduction
• Process of sucking gas or fluid from the cavity by means of reduced
pressure.
• Remove the respiratory tract secretion to clear the airway.

3. Purpose
• Maintaining the patent airway by removing the secretions.
• Prevention of respiratory tract infections from lodgement of
secretions

4. Checklist Development
Tracheostomy and Endotracheal Tube Suctioning
Oropharyngeal and Nasopharyngeal Suctioning

5. Endotracheal and Tracheostomy Suctioning

7. SN Procedure Steps Yes No
1. Identify the need for suctioning
2. Explain procedure to the patient and reassure
3. Obtain all the supplies
4. Position the patient in semi fowler's position unless
contraindicated(Lateral position for unconscious)
5. Place towel or linen saver pad on the patients chest
6. Turn on the wall suction or portable suction machine and adjusts
the pressure regulator according to the agency policy

8. 7. Test the suction equipment by occluding the connection tubing
8. Open the suction catheter kit or gather the equipment if the set is not
available
9. Put personal protective equipments and perform Handwashing.
10. Dons the sterile glove. Consider the dominant hand sterile and
nondominant hand unsterile
11. Hyperoxygenate the patient according to agency policy

9. Patient requiring mechanical ventilation
Press 100 % O2 button on the ventilator or attach the
resuscitation bag to the ET or TT tube and manually hyper
oxygenate by compressing the resuscitation bag 3-5 times.
Patient not requiring mechanical ventilation
Attach the resuscitation bag to the ET or TT tube and manually
hyper oxygenate by compressing the resuscitation bag 3-5 times.
12. Lubricate the suction catheter tip with NS.
13. Use Dominant hand to quickly and gently insert the catheter with
the suction off

10. 14. Apply suction while withdrawing catheter with gentle rotating
movement.
15. Don’t apply suction for longer than 10 seconds.
16. Clear the catheter by placing it into the container of sterile saline and
applying the suction
17. Repeat suctioning as needed allowing at least 30 sec and hyper
oxygenate in between.
18. Provide mouthcare and suction oral secretion from oropharynx.

11. 19. Replace the O2 source
20. Discard and replace the articles used.
21. Provide Comfortable position to the patient.
22. Record the procedure with time ,date ,nature of secretion and
respiratory sound before and after procedure

12. Oropharyngeal and Nasopharyngeal Suctioning

13. SN Procedure Steps Yes No
1. Assess the need of suctioning
2. Explain the procedure and reassure the patient
3. Position the patient
SemiFowlers position with his head turned towards the
nurse(Oropharyngeal)
SemiFowlers Position with head
Hyperextended(Nasopharyngeal)
Lateral position for unconscious

14. 4. Place linen saver pad or towel on the patients chest
5. Turn on the wall suction or portable suction machine and adjusts the
pressure regulator according to the agency policy
6. Test the suction equipment by occluding the connection tubing
7. Open the suction catheter kit or gather the equipment if the set is not
available

15. 8. Put personal protective equipment's and perform Handwashing.
9. Dons the sterile glove. Consider the dominant hand sterile and non-
dominant hand unsterile
10. Approximate the depth to which to insert the suction catheter.
Measure the distance between edge of the patients mouth and the
tip of the patients ear lobe.(Oropharyngeal)
Measure the distance between the tip of the nose and the tip of
the patients earlobe.(Nasopharyngeal)
11. Using nondominant hand , remove the O2 delivary device and have
patient take several deep breaths.

16. 12. Lubricate and insert the suction catheter without applying suction
Lubricate the catheter tip with NS and using the dominant hand
gently and quickly insert the catheter along the side of the
patients mouth into the pharynx and advances suction to the
premeasured distance.(Oropharyngeal)
Lubricate the catheter tip with watersoluble gel and using the
dominant hand gently and quickly insert the catheter into the
nostril and advances suction to the premeasured
distance.(Nasopharyngeal)
13. Apply the suction while withdrawing the catheter in continuous and
rotating manner

17. 14. Limit the suctioning to 5-10 seconds
15. Repeat Suctioning as needed allowing at least 20 sec in between
and clear the catheter by placing it into the container of sterile
saline and applying the suction.
16. Discard and replace the articles used.
17. Provide Comfortable position to the patient.

18. 18. Record the procedure with time ,date ,nature of secretion and
respiratory sound before and after procedure.