Oropharyngeal and nasopharyngeal suctioning

Suctioning secretions from the mouth and throat or via the nose in people who cannot cough them up adequately — with limited suction pressure, a time limit and attention to aspiration and circulation.

Content created with AI assistance from public clinical sources (RKI, AWMF) – may contain mistakes; if in doubt, your textbook is right

Translated from the German original, which is authoritative. The exam itself is in German.

Material

• Working suction unit with suction regulation, connecting tube, collection container
• Sterile disposable suction catheters in a suitable size; for the mouth a rigid suction tip (Yankauer) if needed
• Disposable gloves, surgical mask, safety goggles, protective gown
• Water-soluble lubricant for the nose, cup with flushing fluid for the tube
• Pulse oximeter, kidney dish, tissue; oxygen as ordered

Typical mistakes in the exam

• Suctioning at fixed times instead of as needed
• Inserting with suction or suctioning for longer than 15 seconds
• Using the same catheter first in the mouth, then in the nose
• Suctioning nasally although a basal skull fracture has not been ruled out
• Suctioning a person with dysphagia while they are lying flat

What examiners ask afterwards

• Why do you not apply suction during insertion?
• What do you do if the heart rate drops sharply during suctioning?
• You hear rattling breathing in a dying person. Do you suction? Give reasons.
• When is nasal suctioning contraindicated?
• Which preventive measures (Prophylaxen) are important for a person with dysphagia after a stroke?

Sources

• KRINKO: Prävention der nosokomialen beatmungsassoziierten Pneumonie (RKI)
• TRBA 250: Biologische Arbeitsstoffe im Gesundheitsdienst und in der Wohlfahrtspflege (BAuA)
• Gebrauchsanweisung des verwendeten Absauggeräts (Sogeinstellung)