There are a wide variety of strategies and methods used in securing and managing the oral endotracheal tube and mouth and oral care in German clinical intensive care nursing for mechanically ventilated patients. There are no nationally recognized guidelines or recommendations on this topic. A survey among intensive care nurses identified the most widely used nursing strategies and methods. Regarding the results of the survey and international literature findings, the commonly used strategies and methods are discussed. Following these discussions, there are recommendations for improving nursing care of orally intubated patients in intensive care, including the aspects of evidence identified, currently used methods and patient needs. Also included are aspects of patient safety, potential complications and quality-orientated nursing care within a system having limited overall nursing care resources.