The procedure the nurse would use to suction on a new born baby would be?

Appeared in: BSF Staff Nurse - 2015

Explanation

The correct and safe procedure for suctioning a newborn is to suction the mouth before the nose.
This sequence is remembered by the mnemonic 'M' (Mouth) before 'N' (Nose).
Suctioning the nose first can stimulate a gasp reflex, which can cause the newborn to aspirate any secretions present in the mouth.
Aspiration of fluids can lead to serious respiratory complications, such as pneumonia and respiratory distress.

Option A: This is incorrect and dangerous. Stimulating the nasal passages first can induce a gasp reflex, leading to the aspiration of any fluid or mucus from the mouth into the lungs.
Option C: This is incorrect and impractical. It is not possible to safely and effectively suction both the nose and mouth at the same time using standard equipment like a bulb syringe. This approach fails to follow the critical safety sequence.
Option D: This is incorrect because a standard, evidence-based procedure for suctioning a newborn exists and is listed as one of the options.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: Knowing Neonatal Airway Clearance helps nurses interpret findings accurately and avoid errors in routine assessment, medication administration, and patient teaching.
This procedure is a critical 'first-five-minutes' nursing skill in the delivery room to ensure a patent airway for the newborn.
Failure to follow the correct sequence is a patient safety issue that can lead to iatrogenic (medically-induced) aspiration pneumonia.
This principle is especially vital when meconium is present in the amniotic fluid, as preventing meconium aspiration syndrome (MAS) is a top priority.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the key elements of the question: 'procedure', 'suction', and 'newborn baby'. This indicates a question about a standard nursing skill.
Recall the fundamental principles of neonatal care, where airway, breathing, and circulation (ABCs) are paramount.
Focus on the primary goal of suctioning: to clear the airway safely. Consider the potential risks of the procedure.
Remember the key safety risk is aspiration. Think about how the sequence of actions could increase or decrease this risk.
Apply the mnemonic 'M before N' (Mouth before Nose) to determine the correct order of operations.
Evaluate the options based on this safety principle. Eliminate options that violate the 'M before N' rule or are impractical.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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E6 Nursing Fundamentals Potter Perry 12e Part 5 p. 1

Practise the full BSF Staff Nurse - 2015

Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.