Airway Flashcards
What is the main role of the respiratory system?
Bring oxygen from the air into contact with blood in capillaries.
The order of anatomy for air being inhaled.
Nose, mouth, pharynx, epiglottis, larynx, trachea, bronchi, bronchioles and alveoli.
What anatomy is included in the upper respiratory tract?
Nasal, pharynx and larynx.
What anatomy is included in the lower respiratory tract?
Trachea, Bronchi, bronchioles and lungs.
What is the upper respiratory tract responsible for?
Initial cleaning and warming of air before it is transmitted to the lower airways.
Where are the vocal chords found?
The Larynx
The ______ is a sheet of muscle at the base of the lungs that pulls air into the airways by creating negative pressure in the chest.
Diaphragm.
What is the lungs cheif physiologic function?
The exchange of gases between blood and air.
What 3 parts is the larynx divided into?
Nasopharynx, oropharynx and Laryngopharynx
What is the role of the lower respiratory tract?
To pull in air from the upper respiratory tract, absorb the oxygen and release carbon dioxide in exchange.
What are Alveoli?
Microscopic air sacs served by bronchioles.
Why do we need to manage an airway?
Help to prevent hypoxic damage the brain and other vital organs.
When does an airway obstruction occur?
When you can’t move air in and out of your lungs.
What is the name of severe allergic reaction that causes the airway to swell?
Anaphylaxis
What can lead to airway obstruction?
FBAO, swelling, burns, tumours, neuromuscular conditions and infections.
What are the steps in airway management ladder?
- Head-tilt-chin-lift, 2. OPA/ NPA 3. I-gel 4. Endotracheal intubation 5. Needle Chricothyroidotomy
What stage with paediatric patients does the ladder stop at?
I-gel
What are the contra-indications to a head-tilt chin lift?
Suspected c-spine injury pr conscious patient.
What technique should be used when suspected injury to the c-spine?
Jaw thrust
What are the two disadvantages of using OPA?
May worsen obstruction and does not protect against vomiting or aspiration.
What are the 3 stages of airway inspection?
Look, listen and feel
What does the term Stridor refer to?
high pitched inspiratory/ expiratory sound caused by the narrowing of the airway.
What is croup?
A childhood condition that effects the trachea, the bronchi and the larynx. Distinct barking cough and stridor breaths.
What are the 5 steps in managing anaphylaxis?
- Lie flat 2. Administer IM adrenaline 1:1000 3. Administer high flow oxygen 4. Reassess is second dose of adrenaline required? 5. Transfer.
What is biphasic response?
Relapse after apparent recovery.
When is chlorophenamine administered?
When a mild/ moderate allergic reaction occurs.
What are the common symptoms of mild croup?
seal-like barking cough but no stridor or sternal/intercostal
recession at rest.
What is epiglottitis?
Inflamation of the epiglottis and pharyngeal structures. Primarily caused by bacterial infection.
How to manage severe conscious choking?
5 back blows and 5 abdominal thrusts. Check if effective after each blow/ thrust.
