The endotracheal tube suctioning is one of the most commonly performed nursing
procedures which preterm infants under mechanical ventilation require to remove endotracheal
tube secretions. Aim of the study isto assess the effect of endotracheal suction intervention on
oxygen saturation level in preterm infants. Settings this study was carried out at Neonatal
Intensive Care Units of Benha University Hospital, Benha Teaching Hospital and Specialized
Pediatric Hospital at Benha city. Sample of the study was a convenient sample composed of
seventy nurses and seventy preterm infants undergoing mechanical ventilation at the previously
mentioned settings. Tools of data collection included two tools, (1) A structured interviewing
questionnaire schedule about characteristics of preterm infants, personal data of nurses and nurses҆
knowledge, (2) Assessment schedule for monitoring oxygen saturation level of preterm infants
and observational checklist for endotracheal suctioning procedure. The main results of this
study revealed that, oxygen saturation level decreased after 5 minutes from endotracheal tube
suctioning procedure and there was a positive correlation between nursing practice of
endotracheal suctioning procedure and oxygen saturation. Conclusion of the study revealed that
endotracheal tube suctioning decreases oxygen saturation level of preterm infants. The main
recommendation is making periodical educational training programs for nurses working at
NICU about oxygen saturation and importance of monitoring it during endotracheal tube
suctioning procedure.