10. Airway Management Flashcards
Metabolism that can proceed only in the presence of oxygen.
aerobic metabolism
Occasional, gasping breaths that occur after the has stopped.
agonal gasps
The upper airway tract or the passage above the larynx, which includes the nose, mouth, and throat.
airway
The volume of air moved through the lungs in 1 minute minus the red space; calculated by multiplying tidal volume (minus dead space) and respiratory rate.
alveolar minute volume
The volume of air that reaches the alveoli. It is determined by subtracting the amount of dead space air from the tidal volume.
alveolar ventilation
A safety system for large oxygen cylinders, designed to prevent the accidental attachment of a regulator to a cylinder containing the wrong type of gas.
American Standard Safety System
The metabolism that takes place in the absence of oxygen; the principal product is lactic acid.
anaerobic metabolism
Absence of spontaneous breathing.
apnea
In the context of airway, the introductions of vomitus or other foreign material into the lungs.
aspiration
Irregular, ineffective respirations that may or may not have an identifiable pattern.
ataxic respirations
A ventilation device attached to a control box that allows the variables of ventilation to be set. It frees the EMT to perform other tasks while the patient is being ventilated.
automatic transport ventilator (ATV)
A device with a one way valve and a face mask attached to a ventilation bag; when attached to a reservoir and connected to oxygen, it delivers more than 90% supplemental oxygen.
bag-valve mask (BVM)
A protective item, such as a pocket mask with a valve, that limits exposure to a patient’s body fluids.
barrier device
A body part or that appears on both sides of the midline.
bilateral
Subdivision of the smaller bronchi in the lungs; made of smooth muscle and dilate or constrict in response to various stimuli.
bronchioles
A noninvasive method to quickly and efficiently provide information on a patient’s ventilatory status, circulation, and metabolism. Effectively measures the concentration of carbon dioxide in expired air over time.
capnography
The use of a capnometer, a device that measures the amount of expired carbon dioxide.
capnometry
Point at which the trachea bifurcates into the left and right mainstream bronchi.
carina
monitor levels of O2, CO2, and the pH of the cerebrospinal fluid and then provide feedback to the respiratory centers to modify the rate and depth of breathing based on the body’s needs at any given time.
chemoreceptors
Shortness of breath
dyspnea
A method of ventilation used to treat critically ill patients with respiratory distress; can prevent need for endotracheal intubation.
continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP)
The portion of the tidal volume that does not reach the alveoli and thus does not participate in gas exchange.
dead space
A process in which molecules move from an area of higher concentration to an area of lower concentration.
diffusion
The active, muscular part of breathing that draws air into the airway and lungs.
inhalation
The exchange of gases between the blood cells and the tissues.
internal respiration
The passive part of the breathing process in which the diaphragm and the intercostal muscles relax, forcing air out of the lungs.
exhalation
The exchange of gases between the lungs and the blood cells in the pulmonary capillaries; also called pulmonary respiration.
external respiration
A normal reflex mechanism that causes retching; activated by touching the soft palate or back of the throat.
gag reflex
A condition in which air fills the stomach, often as a result of high volume and pressure during artificial ventilation.
gastric distension
The space in between the vocal cords that is the narrowest portion of the adult’s airway; also called the glottic opening
glottis
A term used to distinguish the degree of distress in a patient with a mild airway obstruction. The patient is conscious and can cough forcibly, although wheezing may be heard.
good air exchange
A combination of two movements to open the airway by tilting the forehead back and lifting the chin; not used for trauma patients
head tilt-chin lift maneuver
A partial or complete accumulation of air in the pleural space.
pneumothorax
The air that remains in the lungs after maximal expiration.
residual volume
The process of exchanging oxygen and carbon dioxide.
respiration
Movements in which the skin pulls in around the ribs during inspiration.
retractions
The nasal cavity
nasopharynx
Bypassing of oxygen poor blood past nonfunctional alveoli to the left side of the heart.
intrapulmonary shunting
Technique to open the airway by placing the fingers behind the angle of the jaw bringing the jaw forward; used for patients who may have a cervical spine injury.
jaw-thrust maneuver
Breathing that requires greater than normal effort; may be faster or slower than normal and usually requires the use of accessory muscles.
labored breathing
A complex structure formed by many independent cartilaginous structures that all work together; where the upper airway ends and the lower airway begins; also called the voice box.
larynx
A fixed flow rate ventilation device that delivers a breadth every time its button is pushed; also referred to as a flow-restricted, oxygen-powered ventilation device.
manually triggered ventilation device
Space within the chest that contains the heart, major blood vessels, vans nerve, trachea, major bronchi, and esophagus; located between two lungs.
mediastinum
Occurs when a foreign body partially obstructs the patient’s airway.
mild airway obstruction
The volume of air moved through the lungs in 1 minute; calculated by multiplying tidal volume and respiratory rate; also called minute ventilation.
minute volume
An oxygen-delivery device in which oxygen flows through two small, tubelike prongs, that fit into the patient’s nostril; delivers 24% to 44% supplemental oxygen, depending on flow rate.
nasal cannula
Airway adjunct inserted into the nostril of an unresponsive patient or patient with LOC who cannot maintain airway independently
nasopharyngeal (nasal) airway
A combination mask and reservoir bag system preferred in hospital to supply oxygen in a prehospital setting; delivers 90% inspired oxygen and prevents inhaling the exhaled gases.
nonrebreathing mask
Airway adjunct inserted into the mouth of an unresponsive patient to keep the tongue from blocking the airway and to facilitate suctioning the airway, if necessary.
oropharyngeal (oral) airway
A system established for portable cylinders to ensure that a regulator is not connected to a cylinder containing the wrong type of gas.
pin-indexing system
A degree of distress in a patient with a mild airway obstruction. The patient has weak, ineffective cough, increased difficulty of breathing, or possible cyanosis and may produce a high-pitched noise during inhalation (stridor).
poor air exchange
