A nurse is performing nasopharyngeal suctioning for an adult client. Which of the following techniques should the nurse use?

Waiting 1 minute between suctioning attempts allows the client to recover and ensures that the procedure is not overly invasive. It also helps to prevent the client from becoming hypoxic. The distance that the nasopharyngeal catheter should be inserted varies from person to person and therefore 10 cm is not standard. During nasopharyngeal suctioning, the nurse should apply suction intermittently while withdrawing the catheter, not during insertion. Applying suction during insertion can cause tissue damage and increase the risk of trauma. The nurse should also apply intermittent suction for no longer than 15 seconds to prevent hypoxia and damage to the mucosal lining. Suctioning for an extended period can cause discomfort and harm to the client.