Airway Lecture

Question 1

Larynx

Answer 1

Voice box containing vochal cords

Question 2

What protects the trachea from food and water?

Answer 2

Epiglottis

Question 3

Two layers of Connective tissue that surround the lung?

Answer 3

The pleura: divided into the visceral and parietal

Question 4

What is visceral pleura?

Answer 4

Innermost covering layer of lung

Question 5

What is parietal pleura

Answer 5

Thicker more elastic layer that adheres to the inner portion of chest wall

Question 6

What is the small space in between the pleura layers?

Answer 6

Pleural space has negative pressure

Question 7

What happens during inspiration?

Answer 7

Diaphragm/muscles contract
Diaphragm moves Downward
Negative pressure created
Thorax expands
Active component in breathing

Question 8

What happens on exhalation?

Answer 8

Diaphragm/muscles relax
Increase in pressure in cavity
Passive component of breathing

Question 9

What is external respiration

Answer 9

gas exchange process that occurs between the alveoli and the surrounding pulmonary capillaries

serves to oxygenate the blood and eliminate carbon dioxide in the lungs

Question 10

What is internal respiration?

Answer 10

gas exchange process that occurs between the cells and the systemic capillaries

responsible for delivering oxygen to the cells and removing carbon dioxide from the cells

Question 11

what is cellular respiration?

Answer 11

known as aerobic metabolism, occurs in the cell. The process breaks down glucose in the presence of oxygen, produces high amounts of energy in the form of ATP, and releases carbon dioxide and water as a byproduct.

Question 12

What is the adequate breath rate for an adult?

Answer 12

12-20/min

Question 13

what is the adequate breath rate for a pediatric?

Answer 13

15-30/min

Question 14

what is the adequate breah rate for an infant?

Answer 14

25-50/min

Question 15

what is adequate breathing?

Answer 15

present and equal breath sounds
adequate and equal chest expansion
minimal work for breathing

Question 16

What is hypoxia?

Answer 16

inadequate amount of o2 in/being delivered to tissue

Question 17

What are signs of hypoxia?

Answer 17

Nervousness, irritability, & fear
Tachycardia
Mental status changes
Use of accessory muscles for breathing
Difficulty breathing; possible chest pain
Cyanosis in severe hypoxia cases

Question 18

what are the causes of airway disruption?

Answer 18

Mechanical: allergic reaction/nerve issue
Disease: pneumonia
obstruction: pulmonary embolism/clots

Question 19

What are signs of inadequate breathing?

Answer 19

tachypnea/bradypnea
unequal/inadequate chest expansion
accessory muscle use/increased work to breath
poor tidal volume

Question 20

What are the indications for o2 administration?

Answer 20

-Any patient in cardiac arrest or respiratory arrest
-Any patient who is being ventilated via positive pressure ventilation
-Any signs of hypoxia in a patient with adequate respiratory rate / tidal volume
-Any patient with a SpO2 reading less than 95 percent
-Medical conditions that may cause hypoxia
-Any patient with an altered mental status or who is unresponsive
-Injuries to any body cavity, including head, spine, chest, abdomen, and pelvis
-Multiple fractures and multiple soft tissue injuries
-Severe bleeding that is either external or internal
-Any evidence of hypoperfusion
-Exposure to toxins such as carbon monoxide and cyanide

Question 21

What are the key points for non rebreather masks

Answer 21

o2 flows at 8-15lpm
reservoir must be filled prior to application

Question 22

what are the key points for nasal cannula

Answer 22

o2 flows at 2-6lpm
fangs follow cavity and tuck behind ear like glasses

Question 23

headtilt chin lift vs jawthrust?

Answer 23

head tilt chin lift can be used in non trauma

the jaw thrust is used in trauma/suspected spine damage

Question 24

What is and why use the recovery position?

Answer 24

patient is on their side in the recumbent position, used to reduce risk of aspiration/choking. trauma pt must remain supine.

Question 25

how long do you suction for?

Answer 25

15 seconds or until clear

Question 26

when to use an opa and how to insert it?

Answer 26

patient is unconcious/no gag reflex,
suspected facial trauma

upside down or laterally and then rotate it

Question 27

how to measure an opa?

Answer 27

Center of mouth to angle of jaw
Corner of mouth to tragus of ear

Question 28

how to measure an npa?

Answer 28

Length: Tip of nose to bottom of earlobe
Diameter: Consider size of pt’s right nare

Question 29

how to insert an npa?

Answer 29

Use water soluble gel to lubricate NPA
Insert into pt’s right nare with beveled edge towards septum.
Insert until flange is flush with pt’s nose

Question 30

contraindications for an npa?

Answer 30

Maxillary trauma
Nasal Trauma
Suspected skull fracture
Resistance encountered during insertion

Question 31

what are indications for PPV

Answer 31

respiratory arrest
inadequate respiratory effort
inadequate repsiratory rate
bradycardia
cyanosis

Question 32

What are the key points for PPV

Answer 32

FATS technique for no neck injury
two person technique if neck injury
administer 15-25lpm
always use an adjunct with PPV

Question 33

What is oxygenation?

Answer 33

a form of respiration in which oxygen moves from a high concentration to a low concentration across a membrane. The process by which cells become saturated with oxygen

Question 34

What is ventilation?

Answer 34

mechanical process based on changes in pressure inside the chest that causes air to flow into or out of the lungs

Question 35

What is Respiration?

Answer 35

the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide that takes place during inhalation and exhalation

Question 36

What are pediatric considerations for the airway?

Answer 36

-noses and mouths of infants and children are smaller and more easily obstructed
-tongue of an infant or child is relatively large in proportion to the size of the mouth.
-trachea and lower airway passages of infants and children are narrower, softer, and more flexible than those of adults.
-chest wall in an infant or a child is much softer and more pliable. It is much more compliant to movement during ventilation.