Airway Flashcards
1
Q
List 8 causes of airway obstruction
A
- Unconscious patient - site of obstruction is more often at the soft palate and epiglottis (not the tongue)
- Vomit (regurgitation of gastric contents)
- Blood (trauma)
- Foreign bodies
- Laryngeal obstruction
a) oedema from burns
b) inflammation
c) anaphylaxis - Laryngeal spasm
a) upper airway stimulation
b) inhalation of FB - Below the larynx
a) excessive bronchial secretion
b) mucosal oedema
c) bronchospasm
d) pulmonary oedema
e) aspiration of gastric contents - Extrinsic compression of airway
a) trauma
b) haematoma
c) malignancy
2
Q
How do you recognise an airway obstruction?
A
LOOK, LISTEN and FEEL approach
- Look for chest and abdominal movements
- Listen and feel for airflow at the mouth and nose
3
Q
What happens in partial airway obstruction?
A
Air entry is diminished and usually noisy.
- Inspiratory stridor - obstruction at the laryngeal level or above
- Expiratory wheeze - obstruction of the lower airways (which tends to collapse and obstruct during expiration)
- Gurgling - the presence of liquid or semisolid foreign material in the upper airways
- Snoring - arises when the pharynx is partially occluded by the tongue or palate
- Crowing or stridor - is the sound of laryngeal spasm or obstruction
4
Q
How do you recognise complete airway obstruction?
A
- ‘See saw breathing’ (Paradoxical chest and abdominal movement) - The chest is drawn in and the abdomen expands on inspiration
- Accessory muscles of respiration are used
- Intercostal / subcostal recession
- Tracheal tug
- Failure to inflate the lungs during attempted PPV (during apnoea).
5
Q
List 3 basic airway maintenance techniques
A
- Head tilt
- Chin lift
- Jaw thrust
6
Q
List the potential problems associated with bag-mask ventilation
A
- Ineffective tidal volumes
2. Gastric inflation with risk of regurgitation and pulmonary aspiration
