The present study shows that patients’ ventilation period does not have any role as an indicator in determining the risk of unplanned extubation. The value that is attained by dividing the time period between the date of first intubation and the date of unplanned extubation by 24 gives the ventilation period in days. Epstein et al stated that there was a statistically significant difference in terms of ventilation periods between the self-extubated group and the control group: the longer the mechanical ventilation days, the higher the risk of self-extubation. Incorrespondence with the present study, Moons et a and de Groot et al found that the ventilation period was not a risk factor for self-extubation. The longer the days that the intubation tube stays on the patient, the higher the necessity of close follow-up of the patient is. Therefore, the reason that there is not any significant difference found in terms of ventilation period between the case and control groups in some studies including the present one might be the quality of nursing care in the ICU in question.The present study revealed that there was noextubation plan in most of the unplanned extubation group, but the majority of responsible nurses anticipated the unplanned extubation.Moreover, it was also detected that in most cases patients self-extubate. Epstein et al reported in their study findings that whereas only 4 patients were extubated accidentally, 71 patients self-extubated intentionally. Curry et al2 stated that 72.9% of the patients who experienced self-extubation realized their attempts ata time when the nurse was not there. Moons et al indicated that a high percentage of patients, with 42.9%,self-extubated at the day when extubation was planned to be performed, and 14.3% of the patients self-extubated the day before the planned day. Furthermore, whereas the 75% of the self-extubation was on purpose, 33.3% was accidental. These results indicate the importance of nursing care in the prevention of unplanned extubation