Airway Flashcards
Contraindications for awake nasal intubation “blind” nasaotracheal intubation
- nasal fx.
- nasal obstruction
- coagulopathy or bleeding disorder
- acute infection (sinusitis, mastoiditis)
- basilar skull fx.
- intra-nasal or pharyngeal abscess
Indications for awake nasal intubation “blind” nasaotracheal intubation
- Questionable airway (obesity, difficult anatomy, u/a to open mouth r/t trauma, wired shut, pain, etc…)
- Oral& maxillofacial sx. Pt. u/a to open mouth
- Spontaneous breathing pt. in respiratory distress (ICU, ER, etc)
- Cervical fx.
- Neuro injury
- trismus or jaw fx.
Advantages of awake nasal intubation “blind” nasaotracheal intubation
- more stable tube fixation
- less chance of kinked tube
- Greater comfort in an awake pt.
- Away from oral sx. site
Disadvantages of awake nasal intubation “blind” nasaotracheal intubation
- small tube size increased resistance
- additional equipment needed (Magill forcepts, vasoconstrictor)
- increase bleeding
- may be more difficult to direct NET than under direct visualization
- Patient cooperation mandatory
- Very stimulating for pt.
Which nare should be used for nasal intubation
-Nare that the patient breathes the easiest through. If no difference, use the right nare)
Why is the right nare preferred for nasal intubation?
When inserted in the right nare, the bevel of most tracheal tubes will face the flat nasal septum, reducing damage to turbinates
Purpose of using a NPA prior to nasal inttubation
- spread local anesthetic
- assess patency
Which nare do you apply the vaso-constrictor to prior to nasal intubatiob?
Both
Position of head during an awake nasal intubatiion
amended /”sniffing” position (slight flexion oh head forward with head turned to left or right)
What size NET is usually used
7 or 8
How do you actually insert the NET
slowly and gently along the floor of nose innnto the pharynx where you will feel least resistance. Listen for breath sounds (BS) and continue to insert as long BS are maximal & tubular in quality. (If hey diminish re-direct towards glottis)
What type of tube is good for NET intubation and why?
Endotrol r/t bent tip
What does it mean if a patient starts coughing during NET insertion? What should be done?
- Coughing indicates correct positioning
- Cont. to advance tube through vocal cords
What should be done if the NET doesn’t go into trachea?
Pull back to maximal breath sounds are heard and re-direct tube
Causes of epistaxis during NET insertion
- too large tube
- not enough lubricant
- rough/ vigorous instrumentation
Where might the NET be if it wasn’t placed in the trachea
- vallecula
- on the anterior commisure
- against closed glottis during laryngospasm
- esophagus
- pyriform sinus
What should be maintained while assessing a difficult airway situation?
Masked ventilation
What should be maintained if a patient has a full stomack during a difficult intubation
cricoid pressure
Define “Difficult airway”
Any intubation that takes a skiiilled anesthetist more than 3 attempts or 10 minutes
If intubation is unsuccessful what should be done?
- Allow pt. to awaken or an attempt at an awake intubation
- If NDMR used, ventilate patient until reversal is posible
When should a glidescope or fiberoptic intubation be done?
Before the field is obscured with blood, edema, secretions, etc..
Complete this sentence: It takes longer to do a tracheostomy than_________________
it takes for CNS damage to occur
It is strongly recommended that every operating suite be equipt with what airway supplies?
-intubation cart containing: adult & pediatric fiber optic endoscope, a light source, assortment of laryngoscopes& blades, airways, ET tubes & stylets, cricothyrotomy set and means for transtracheal jet ventilation, and equipment for retrograde intubation
What is the next option if unable to ventilate a pregnant mom with a baby in distress?
Get an LMA if you can’t ventilate
If a patient a patient refuses awake intubation or a difficult airway isn’t recognized before anesthesia induced how will the airway initially be managed.
-airway ordinarily first controlled by mask ventilation before conventional laryngoscopy.
What is done next after noting a difficult airway with multiple attempts
- Change position/ technique
- Allow pt. to awaken/attempt awake intubation
- If NDMR used, ventilate pt. until reversal is possible
When should glidescope/ fiberoptic intubation be attempted?
Before field is obscured w/ blood, secretions/ edema
Steps for a cricothyroidotomy for airway placement
Puncture cricothyroid membrane IV catheter> aspirate air> remove needle & syringe> advance catheter> reattach syringe> aspirate air (to assure placement)> discard syringe> connect ot O2 source> insert 3mm ETT adapter into catheter hub (for attachment of anesthesia circuit/ resuscitation bag) or insert adapter from 7mm ETT into barrel of 3ml syringe after plunger removed> hook up to Jet ventilation
What medication can be given to help with difficult airway intubation and why?
- Robinul
- Prevent spasms & difficulties (dries secretions)
When might tracheostomy or cricothyroidotomy be the 1st choice for an airway
- pt. refuses awake intubation
- difficult airway not recognized before anesthesia induced
- Absolutely unable to ventilate or intubate pt.
Is awake fiberoptic intubation for emergent or non emergent cases
Non-emergent (most useful for a non-bloody, non-emergent problem). Can be used when difficult airway is expected
Indications for an awake fiberoptic intubation
- Predict difficult anatomical airway
- upper airway mass/ swelling
Steps for awake fiber optic intubation
insert into mouth or nose> able to view once tip of scope emerges from obturator> enter trachea above carina> use as a guide over which the ETT is advanced> verify postioning> remove bronchoscope> induce IV anesthesia
When is retrograde intubation used
In emergencies when it is IMPOSSIBLE to ventilate or intubate Pt.