What is the maximum suction duration recommended for an adult during a single pass?

• A. 15 seconds per pass.
• B. 5 seconds per pass.
• C. 10 seconds per pass, with brief pauses to re-oxygenate between passes.
• D. 20 seconds per pass.

Answer: (C)

During airway suctioning, the goal is to clear secretions without causing oxygen deprivation. For an adult, limit each suction pass to ten seconds. After a pass, pause briefly to re‑oxygenate—using supplemental oxygen or a bag‑valve mask—to restore oxygen levels before the next pass. This approach helps prevent hypoxemia, mucosal injury, and reflex vagal responses while still effectively clearing the airway. Shorter passes (like five seconds) are typically used for children, because their oxygen reserves are smaller, while longer durations (fifteen or twenty seconds) disproportionately increase desaturation risk. Therefore, ten seconds per pass with brief pauses to re-oxygenate is the recommended practice.