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Airway Suctioning Techniques Guide

Suctioning is the process of removing secretions from the tracheobronchial tree using a suctioning tube connected to a mechanical device, primarily for patients with artificial airways who cannot cough. It is necessary to maintain a clear airway and optimize respiratory function, with various types including oropharyngeal, nasopharyngeal, and endotracheal suctioning. The procedure carries risks such as hypoxia, trauma, and infection, and requires specific equipment and techniques to ensure safety and effectiveness.

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23 views13 pages

Airway Suctioning Techniques Guide

Suctioning is the process of removing secretions from the tracheobronchial tree using a suctioning tube connected to a mechanical device, primarily for patients with artificial airways who cannot cough. It is necessary to maintain a clear airway and optimize respiratory function, with various types including oropharyngeal, nasopharyngeal, and endotracheal suctioning. The procedure carries risks such as hypoxia, trauma, and infection, and requires specific equipment and techniques to ensure safety and effectiveness.

Uploaded by

honocod691
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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SUCTIONING

WHAT IS IT ?
• Removal of secretions from the tracheobronchial tree
through suctioning tube connected to a mechanical
suctioning device
• It is carried out when a patient with an artificial airway
such as a tracheostomy or endotracheal tube cannot
cough and void pulmonary secretions.
• Suctioning is performed to maintain a clear airway and
optimise respiratory function.
Types
• Oropharyngeal suctioning
• Nasopharyngeal suctioning
• Endotracheal suctioning
• Open suctioning
• Closed suctioning
WHY IS IT NEEDED?

• The upper airway warms, cleans and moistens the air we


breathe.
• The tracheostomy tube bypasses these mechanisms, so that
the air via the tube is cooler, dryer and not as clean. In
response to these changes, the body produces more mucus.
• The tracheostomy tube is suctioned to remove mucus from
the tube and trachea to allow for easier breathing. The
presence of a tracheostomy also impedes the ability to
cough, a mechanism that requires glottic closure to generate
the high air flow and velocity necessary.
INDICATIONS
• Patients should be encouraged to cough up secretions
themselves if they are able to do so. Ensuring patients are
adequately hydrated is one way nurses can facilitate the
removal of respiratory secretions.
• Clinical indicators for suctioning:
1. Coarse breath sounds
2. Noisy breathing
3. Bubbles of mucus in tracheostomy opening
4. Signs of respiratory distress
5. Increased or decreased pulse
6. Increased or decreased respiration
7. Increased or decreased blood pressure
8. Prolonged expiratory breath sound
ASSOCIATED RISKS
• Hypoxia:
– Due to interruption of inspired oxygen flow
– Partial obstruction of the tracheostomy tube by the suction tube.
– Procedure may also suck oxygen/gas out of the bronchial tree and
contribute to alveolar collapse
– Can be prevented by proper selection of the suction tube size (not more
than half the size of tracheostomy tube) and performing the procedure
swiftly- certainly in less than ten seconds, and hyper oxygenation prior to
suction.
• Trauma:
– Direct trachea-bronchial trauma can occur.
– Avoided by selecting atraumatic suction catheter having multiple
eyes and keeping suction volume pressure low.
• Infection:
– Use sterile suction catheters and use once only
– Use single use gloves which should not be powdered.
• Hemodynamic instability: related to vagal stimulation
and hypoxia.
• Undesirable fluctuations in Intra Cranial Pressure.
EQUIPMENTS
• Suction machine
• Suction connecting tubing
• Suction catheters
• Normal saline
• Sterile or clean cup
• 3cc saline ampules
• Ambu bag
• Tissues
• Gloves
Suction source
Size of suctioning catheter
SIZE
Adult 12 FG to 18 FG
Children 8 FG to 10 FG
Infant 5FG to 8FG

**Half the diameter (or less) of the tracheal tube (closed suctioning)
Suctioning pressures
• Turn on suction pressures for appropriate
negative pressures for
Wall mounted Portable home
units
Adult: 100-120 mmHg 10-15 mmHg

Children: 50-100 mmHg 5-10 mmHg

Infant 50-95 mmHg 2-5 mmHg


THE PROCEDURE

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