Three Types of Suctioning: Airway Management Techniques
What are the three types of suctioning?
The Quick Answer
The three clinical suctioning types are: **1) Oropharyngeal** (using Yankauer for mouth/throat secretions), **2) Nasopharyngeal** (flexible catheter through nose to pharynx), and **3) Endotracheal/Tracheal** (catheter through artificial airway into trachea). Each targets specific anatomical regions with appropriate equipment to maintain airway patency while minimizing trauma.
Why We Ask This
Caregivers apply a single suctioning technique universally, causing complications like nasal trauma from inappropriate Yankauer use or ineffective secretion clearance when using rigid devices for deep airway needs.
The Practical Science
Suctioning type selection follows the 'least invasive effective method' principle: oropharyngeal for conscious patients with gag reflex, nasopharyngeal for semi-conscious patients needing deeper clearance without intubation, and tracheal only for intubated/ventilated patients.
In Clinical Practice
A stroke patient with weak gag reflex receives oropharyngeal Yankauer suctioning while upright. The same patient post-intubation requires closed-system tracheal suctioning—demonstrating how technique must adapt to airway protection status rather than using one approach universally.
References & Context
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