What is the correct order of suctioning for newborns?

• A. Mouth, then nose
• B. Nose, then mouth
• C. Mouth only
• D. Nose only

Answer: (A)

Suctioning should begin in the mouth and then proceed to the nose. Clearing the mouth first removes oral secretions that could be drawn into the airway when you suction the nasal passages afterward. If you start with the nose, secretions can move toward the oropharynx and potentially into the lower airway as you continue suctioning, increasing the risk of aspiration. By addressing the mouth first, you reduce the amount of material that could reach the trachea during subsequent nasal suctioning.