Name: _____________________________________________________Date: ________________
Course: _______________________________________ ____ Grade:_______________
COMPETENCY CHECKLIST
AIRWAY MANAGEMENT: SUCTIONING
Assessment Able to
Perfor
m
Unable
to
Perform
Needs
Supervisio
n
Observe for signs and symptoms of excess secretions in the oral
cavity and productive cough without expectoration.
Assess for airway obstruction.
Assess for risk factors and need for suctioning.
Position client. Prepare suction/kit catheter.
Implementation
Apply gloves. Prepare equipment needed for procedures.
Connect one end of connecting tubing to suction machine. Check
that equipment is functioning properly by suctioning a small
amount of water from sterile container.
Oropharyngeal Suctioning
Remove oxygen mask if present.
Insert catheter into client’s mouth with suction applied, move
catheter around mouth, including pharynx and gum line, until
secretions are cleared.
Encourage client to cough, and repeat suctioning if needed.
Replace oxygen mask if used.
Suction water from sterile container through catheter until
catheter is cleared of secretions.
Nasotracheal Suctioning
Apply one sterile glove to each hand, or apply nonsterile glove to
Nondominant hand and sterile glove to dominant hand. Attach
nonsterile suction tubing to sterile catheter, keeping the hand
holding catheter sterile.
Remove oxygen delivery device if present, with nondominant
hand. Use dominant hand to insert catheter into nares during
inspiration without applying suction. Do not force catheter.
Nurse Alert: Keep oxygen delivery device readily available.
Advance catheter to just above entrance into trachea. Allow client
to take a breath.
Insert catheter approximately 16 cm (6-8 inches) in adults.
Advance catheter until resistance is felt or client coughs.
Apply intermittent suction by placing and releasing non-
dominant thumb and forefinger, over vent of catheter, and slowly
withdraw catheter while rotating it back and forth between thumb
and forefinger. The maximum time catheter may remain in airway
is 10 secs. Encourage client to cough.
Rinse catheter and connecting tubing by suctioning water from
the sterile container until tubing is clear. Dispose of catheter and
remaining saline in basin. Turn off suction device.
Endotracheal or Tracheostomy Tube Suctioning
Apply one sterile glove to each hand, or apply nonsterile glove to
nondominant hand and sterile glove to dominant hand.
Hyperoxygenate client before suctioning, using manual
resuscitation bag or sigh mechanism on mechanical ventilator.
