What should my suction pressure be? A guide to safe clinical practice

October 2, 2025 •

4 min read

Precise control of suction pressure is fundamental in healthcare to prevent complications and ensure effective removal of fluids or secretions. Understanding what should my suction pressure be in different scenarios is a key component of providing safe and competent patient care.

Quick Summary

Appropriate suction pressure varies significantly based on the procedure and patient age. For adult respiratory suction, recommended pressures are within a specific range, while pediatric pressures are lower to protect delicate tissues. Nasogastric suction typically utilizes low, intermittent pressure settings. Always consult clinical guidelines for specific values.

Key Points

Pressure varies by application: Different procedures like respiratory suction and NG tube suction require distinct pressure ranges.
Patient age is critical: Adult respiratory suction uses a specific range, while pediatric and neonatal patients require progressively lower pressures due to anatomical differences.
NG tube suction is typically low intermittent: Use low, intermittent pressure for NG tubes to prevent harm to the stomach lining.
Use the lowest effective pressure: Always aim for the lowest pressure that effectively clears secretions or drains fluid, adjusting cautiously within safe limits if needed for thicker material.
Prioritize patient well-being: Monitor patient vital signs and comfort levels during and after suctioning, and always confirm equipment is working correctly.
Stay updated: Regularly review clinical guidelines and institutional procedures to maintain current best practices.

The critical role of appropriate suction pressure

Setting the correct suction pressure is a vital skill for healthcare professionals utilizing suction devices for a range of applications, including managing respiratory secretions and facilitating gastrointestinal drainage. Incorrect pressure settings can lead to adverse patient outcomes. Excessive pressure can cause trauma to sensitive tissues, such as the lining of the trachea or stomach, potentially resulting in bleeding, swelling, and increased risk of infection. Conversely, insufficient pressure may not effectively clear obstructions or facilitate drainage, which can lead to complications such as airway blockage. Achieving the optimal balance between therapeutic effectiveness and patient safety is paramount in the clinical use of suction.

Key factors influencing suction pressure selection

The appropriate suction pressure is not a universal standard but rather is determined by several important factors:

Patient Demographics: The age and size of the patient are primary considerations. Younger patients, particularly neonates, have smaller, more fragile anatomical structures, requiring lower pressure settings to prevent injury.
Procedural Type: The specific reason for suctioning dictates the pressure requirements. Procedures like airway suctioning aim to remove thick respiratory secretions and typically use higher pressure than nasogastric (NG) tube suction, which focuses on draining gastric contents at lower, often intermittent, pressures to protect the stomach lining.
Nature of Material: When performing respiratory suction, the consistency and thickness of secretions can influence the required negative pressure for effective clearance. While some adjustment within safe limits may be necessary for tenacious secretions, exceeding established maximums should be avoided.

Suction pressure considerations in diverse clinical contexts

Respiratory suctioning in adult patients

For adult patients requiring suctioning of the endotracheal tube or tracheostomy, recommended negative pressure falls within a specific range. While a standard range is often cited, the goal is always to use the lowest effective pressure necessary to clear secretions. In situations involving particularly thick secretions, the pressure might be adjusted upward within safe limits, but generally, it should not exceed a certain threshold to minimize the risk of mucosal injury. Pressures significantly above the standard range should only be implemented under specific medical direction and with vigilant patient monitoring.

Equipment Verification: Always ensure the suction regulator is functioning correctly and calibrated before and after each use to confirm the pressure setting.
Procedure Duration: To reduce the risk of patient hypoxia, each suction pass should be limited in duration.

Pediatric respiratory suctioning considerations

Pediatric patients, due to their smaller and more delicate airways, necessitate careful regulation of suction pressure. Guidelines for children are typically lower than those for adults and may vary based on age and size:

Older Children: For older pediatric patients, a specific pressure range is generally considered safe.
Neonates and Infants: The youngest patients require even lower pressures to prevent potential trauma.
Patient Monitoring: Continuous monitoring of vital signs, including heart rate and oxygen saturation, is essential during and after pediatric suctioning procedures. Some clinical settings may provide detailed protocols or charts to guide pressure settings based on pediatric patient characteristics.

Nasogastric (NG) tube suction procedures

NG tube suction is employed for gastric decompression and involves different techniques and pressure requirements compared to airway suction. The objective is to remove gastric gas and fluids. Applying continuous high pressure can potentially lead to the gastric mucosa being drawn into the tube's drainage ports, causing injury.

Intermittent Suction: The standard approach is to use low intermittent suction (LIS), which involves a specific pressure range.
Intermittent vs. Continuous: The intermittent nature of LIS is crucial, providing periods of rest to prevent constant negative pressure against the stomach wall. Continuous suction at higher pressures is generally not indicated for NG tube applications.

A comparison of suction pressure guidelines


Application	Patient Group	Typical Pressure Approach	Key Safety Consideration
Respiratory Suction	Adults	Specific pressure range	Minimize mucosal damage by using the lowest effective pressure.
	Pediatric	Lower pressure range	Pressure settings are highly dependent on patient age and size.
	Neonatal	Lowest pressure range	Heightened risk of tissue damage requires close monitoring.
NG Tube Suction	Adults & Pediatric	Low Intermittent Suction	Prevent gastric mucosal injury by using intermittent settings.

Adhering to safety standards and best practices

Equipment Verification: Before each use, confirm that the suction regulator is properly calibrated and functional. Ensure tubing is clear and connections are secure.
Patient Assessment: Perform a thorough assessment of the patient before and after the suctioning procedure, including evaluating breath sounds, vital signs, and the patient's tolerance of the procedure.
Patient Communication: When possible, explain the procedure to conscious patients to reduce anxiety and improve comfort.
Infection Control: Strictly follow infection control guidelines, including using appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) and maintaining sterile technique for procedures like tracheal suctioning.
Professional Development: Stay informed about current clinical guidelines, institutional policies, and evolving best practices. Consult with experienced healthcare professionals, such as respiratory therapists, when encountering unfamiliar situations.

Conclusion: The importance of precise pressure for patient safety

Knowing what should my suction pressure be is a fundamental element of safe and effective clinical care. The appropriate pressure is not a fixed number but a range determined by the individual patient's characteristics and the specific suctioning procedure being performed. By adhering to established pressure guidelines and consistently prioritizing patient safety, healthcare providers can help ensure positive patient outcomes and minimize potential risks. Always verify your equipment and rely on evidence-based protocols to inform your clinical decisions. For additional resources on best practices in respiratory care, refer to authoritative professional organizations.

Frequently Asked Questions

Using suction pressure that is too high can cause trauma to delicate tissues, leading to complications like bleeding, swelling, increased infection risk, and potentially hypoxia.

Recommended suction pressures for pediatric patients are generally lower than those for adults. Neonates and infants require the lowest pressure settings to accommodate their smaller and more fragile airways.

Intermittent suction is often used for NG tubes to prevent continuous negative pressure from pulling the gastric mucosa into the tube's drainage ports, which could cause injury.

To check and set the suction pressure, block the end of the suction tubing and adjust the regulator until the desired negative pressure is indicated on the gauge. Always confirm the setting before connecting to the patient.

While standard adult respiratory suction uses a specific range, in cases of very thick secretions, a slightly higher pressure might be considered within safe maximums. However, this should generally only be done with specific medical orders and close patient monitoring due to the increased risk of tissue damage.

To help prevent patient hypoxia, a single suction pass should be kept brief, typically lasting no more than a limited number of seconds.

Potential causes for low suction pressure include leaks in the tubing or connections. If these are secure, the issue might be with the machine itself, possibly due to a malfunction or blockage. Checking and replacing tubing or the canister, or using a different machine, may be necessary.