Newborn Suctioning

Definition:
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Purpose:_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
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Principles:
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Indications: _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Guideline/Special Considerations:
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Water-soluble
lubricant or glass
of sterile water
Y-connector
Sterile gauzes
Moisture-resistant
disposable bag
Sterile forceps (in
cases where
institution
practices such or
in absence of
gloves)

Equipments:

Use m to avoid trauma, laryngospasm, and

bradycardia minimal negative pressure.
60 to 100 mm Hg for infants
And 40 to 60 mm Hg for premature infants

5 6

EXCELLENT

VERY GOOD

GOOD

SATISFACTORY

RATIONALE

RY UNSATISFACTO

PROCEDURE

PREFORMED

Towels or pads
Emesis basin
lined with paper

Portable or wall
suction machine:
includes a
collection bottle,
a tubing system
connected to the
suction catheter,
and a gauge that
registers the
degree of suction

Sterile
disposable
container for
sterile fluids

Sterile normal
saline or water

Sterile gloves

Sterile suction
catheter
1. Perform Handwashing
For infants - #
2. Assess the infant to determine the need for
5 to # 8
suctioning.
PREPARE THE EQUIPMENT
a. Complete equipment check and assemble
any additional supplies required.
b. Attach catheter to suction source
c. Check suction pressure. Maximum
negative pressure should not exceed 100
mm Hg with the tube occluded.
d. Set the pressure on the suction gauge and

NOT

turn on the suction.

Wall unit
Infant: 50-95 mmHg
Portable unit
Infant: 2-5 mmHg
3. Open the sterile suction package.
4. Set up the cup or container, touching only its
outside.
5. Pour sterile water or saline into the sterile
container.
6. Don the sterile gloves, or don a nonsterile
glove on the non-dominant hand and sterile
glove on the dominant hand.
7. With you sterile gloved hand, pick up the
catheter, and attach it to the suction unit.
8. Open the lubricant if performing
nasopharyngeal suctioning.
9. Make an approximate measure of the depth
for the insertion of the catheter and test the
equipment.
For oropharyngeal and nasopharyngeal
suctioning:
Measure the distance between the
tip of the clients nose and the
earlobe or appropriate distance for
an infant or small child is 4 to 8 cm
(1.6 to 3.2 in) or 8 to 12 cm (3.2 to
4.8 in) for an older child.
For nasal tracheal suctioning,
measure the distance from the
mouth to earlobe and then to
halfway down the neck

 For oral tracheal suctioning,

measure from the mouth to the
midsternum.
7. Mark the position on the tube with the
fingers of the sterile gloved hand.
Lubricate and introduce the catheter.
8. For nasopharyngeal suction:
a. Lubricate the catheter tip with watersoluble lubricant.
b. Without applying suction, insert the
catheter the premeasured or
recommended distance into either
nares, and advance it along the floor of
the nasal cavity.
c. Never force the catheter against an
obstruction. If one nostril is obstructed,
try the other.
9. For an orpharyngeal suction:
a. Moisten tip with sterile water or saline.
b. Pull the tongue forward, if necessary,
using gauze.
c. Do not apply suction during insertion.
d. Gently advance the catheter along one
side of the mouth into the oropharynx.
Perform suctioning.
10.Hyperoxygenate the infant before

suctioning.
11.Apply suction for 5 seconds; then remove
your finger form the control, and remove
the catheter. A suction attempt should last
only 5 seconds. During this time, the
catheter is inserted, the suction applied
and discontinued, and the catheter
removed.
It may be necessary during
oropharyngeal suctioning to apply suction
to secretions that collect in the vestibule
of the mouth and beneath the tongue.
Rinse the suction catheter with normal
saline between each insertion
Nasal Suctioning: The catheter must
remain upright at the nose.
Clean the catheter, and repeat suctioning as
above.
12.Wipe off the catheter with sterile gauze if
it is thickly coated with secretions.
Dispose of the gauze in a moistureresistant bag.
13.Flush the catheter with sterile water or
saline.
14.Relubricate the catheter, and repeat
suctioning until the air passage is clear.
Note: Allow 20- to 30-second intervals

between each suction, and limit suction to

5 minutes in total.
15.Alternate nares for repeat suctioning.
16.Discard suction tube, other equipment
and gloves in appropriate containers
17.
Wash hands.
18.
Document relevant data
FEEDBACK/COMMENTS:

FACULTY SIGNATURE: ___________________________________________

References (s):
1. Foundations of Maternal Newborn Nursing 4 th Edition (2007) Saunders Elsevier by Sharon Smith Murray and Emily Slone McKinney
2. Wongs Essentials of Pediatric Nursing 7th Edition ( 2005) Elsevier by Marilyn J. Hockenberry, David Wilson and Marilyn L. Winkelstein
3. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2145775/pdf/canfamphys00126-0063.pdf