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StatPearls, LLC

  • Airway Obstruction
  • Bradycardia
  • Catheters
  • Monitoring, Physiologic
  • Suction

Surgical Airway Suctioning

Surgical airway suctioning is a vital procedure for clearing secretions from the upper and lower respiratory tracts in patients who cannot maintain airway patency independently. Indications include artificial airways, neuromuscular disorders, altered consciousness, excessive secretions, and aspiration risk. The procedure requires specialized equipment, including suction catheters, oxygen delivery systems, and monitoring devices, as well as strict adherence to sterile techniques and the use of personal protective equipment to minimize the risk of infection. Clinicians must skillfully select the appropriate catheter size, adjust suction pressure, and time the procedure appropriately while closely monitoring the patient’s responses throughout the process. These steps help prevent complications such as mucosal trauma, hypoxia, and bradycardia. Effective suctioning is essential for preventing airway obstruction, enhancing oxygenation, and reducing infection and ventilator-related complications, particularly in patients with artificial airways or impaired secretion clearance due to sedation, neuromuscular diseases, or altered mental status. This activity provides a comprehensive review of the indications, techniques, and safety protocols for surgical airway suctioning, with an emphasis on preoxygenation, sterile technique, appropriate equipment selection, and continuous patient monitoring. This activity also reinforces best practices in infection prevention and patient monitoring, enabling clinicians to deliver safer and more effective respiratory care for critically ill or chronically ventilated patients. Additionally, this activity underscores the importance of interprofessional collaboration among healthcare providers, enhancing their ability to refine airway management skills and minimize procedural complications. This activity also reinforces evidence-based practices, including the use of as-needed rather than routine suctioning, to support individualized…

Credit & MOC Details

Credit information is provided by the course provider. We recommend confirming credit eligibility with the provider or your licensing board before starting the activity.

Credit types

AAPA Category 1 Credit™Up to 1.5 creditsAMA PRA Category 1 Credit™Up to 1.5 creditsNursingUp to 1.5 creditsPharmacyUp to 1.5 credits

MOC types

ABS — Accredited CMEUp to 1.5 pointsABA — Lifelong LearningUp to 1.5 pointsABTS — Accredited CMEUp to 1.5 pointsABIM — Medical KnowledgeUp to 1.5 pointsABS — Self-AssessmentUp to 1.5 pointsABP — Lifelong Learning and Self-AssessmentUp to 1.5 pointsABOHNS — Self-AssessmentUp to 1.5 pointsABTS — Self-AssessmentUp to 1.5 points

FDA REMS

No

Qualifies for MIPS

No

Target Specialties

Cross-Specialty

Relevant across 13 specialties.

Pricing

Fee varies

This provider typically $49–98

See fees on statpearls.com

Listed by the provider

  • Article / monograph / reference
  • Credit · Up to 1.5 credits
  • MOC · Up to 1.5 points
  • Fee varies · this provider typically $49–98
  • Released
    Sep 1, 2026
  • Last day to claim credit
    Sep 1, 2029 3 years left

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