nasal then oral suctioning

[chele44]

Ok...I was told that if you use a catheter for suctioning, you should do the nasal route first then oral b/c the mouth is dirtier. But I had student nurses come on our unit and their instructor told them to do oral first then nasal because "you wouldn't eat your boogers, right?". Am I missing something?

[MBRN4]

This nose b4 mouth, mouth b4 nose was probably made up a nurse a very loooooooong time ago that just keeps coming back. Your mouth and your nose are both non sterile- so does it really matter which one is suctioned first...no. The only possible rational is that upon startling an adult pt with nares suctioning, the pt can aspirate any oral secretions in their mouth. However I don't believe any of us would just walk up to a pt and sxn their nose without tellin them so it shouldn't be a suprise (*unless neurologically compromised) In infants and children we suction oral then nare due to the risk of aspiration. But I have yet to hear of anyone getting aspiration pneumonia, or worse yet..died! because the nurse suctioned the nares b4 the mouth.

[CoffeeDrinkin'BJ]

Hello!

Yes, we were taught to first suction the nasal passage and then the oral. It's true that when a patient is having difficulty, it pretty much doesn't matter. Just get them breathing! Anyways, I did find it kind of strange that you would do the nasal first and then the oral. My nursing buddies and I had the same question a couple of weeks ago. Take care!

CoffeeDrinkin'BJ :smilecoffeecup:

[dmc_rrt]

I sxn nasaly first because its easier when the pt is moving his head around and gagging. I only go orally when I'm having trouble nasaly, and the pt has no or weak gag and I can place an OPA in the mouth. One just as "dirty" as the other.