Skill 44[1]..bulb Suctioning

97

SKILL 44

Bulb Suctioning

EQUIPMENT Bulb syringe Normal saline drops Gloves Clean towel or paper towel SAFETY 1. Avoid stimulating gag reflex, which may result in vomiting. PROCEDURE 1. Gather equipment. Improves organization and effectiveness. 2. Prepare child and family. Consider having someone support or comfort the child. This may include having someone assist in holding child. Enhances cooperation and parental participation and reduces anxiety and fear.

FIGURE 30A Deflate bulb prior to inserting tip into infant’s nares or mouth by squeezing bulb.

3. Wash hands. 4. Position child with head flat or slightly elevated. 5. Assess respiratory status, including respiratory rate, color, effort. 6. If desired or if secretions are very thick, drop normal saline drops into nares before suctioning to loosen secretions. 7. Deflate bulb prior to inserting tip into infant’s nares/mouth by squeezing bulb. (Figure 30A) 8. Insert tip into infant’s nares/mouth. (Figure 30B) 9. Allow bulb to inflate and remove syringe from nares/mouth. (Figure 30C) 10. Expel secretions into proper receptacle (cloth or paper towel).

FIGURE 30B Insert tip into infant’s nares/mouth.

11. Repeat as necessary. 12. Repeat assessment of respiratory status. DOCUMENTATION 1. Color, consistency, and amount of secretions. 2. How well the child tolerated the procedure, whether or not saline was used. 3. Respiratory status. 4. Frequency required to clear nares/mouth of secretions.

FIGURE 30C Allow bulb to inflate and remove syringe from nares/mouth. Copyright © 2007 by Thomson Delmar Learning, a division of Thomson Learning, Inc. All rights reserved.