Airway Management Flashcards
What is one of the quickest killers in major trauma patients?
Inadequate delivery of oxygenated blood to the brain and other vital structures
How can you prevent hypoxemia?
A protected and unobstructed airway and adequate ventilation
What can fractures and dislocations to the mid face cause?
Compromise to the nasopharynx and oropharynx due to associated haemorrhage, increased secretions and dislodged teeth
What can fractures to the mandible, especially the bilateral body cause?
Loss of normal airway structure
Why should you be aware of a patient with facial fractures refusing to lie flat?
They may lack the ability to manage their own secretions
What can penetrating injury to the neck cause?
Vascular injury with associated expanding haematoma which can result in displacement and obstruction of the airway
What does trauma to the face require?
Aggressive and careful management of the airway
What can blunt or penetrating trauma to the neck cause?
Disruption of the larynx and trachea or compression of the airway
How might patient with neck trauma present?
They may initially be able to maintain the patency of their own airway but are at high risk of developing obstruction: plan for early intubation!
If a patient has a sever airway obstruction what might they require?
An emergency surgical airway - make sure that the difficult airway equipment is available
How may a patient with a fracture of the larynx present?
Acute airway obstruction
What are the clinical signs of a fracture to the larynx?
Hoarseness, subcutaneous emphysema and palpable fracture
What are the clinical signs of an obstructed airway?
- agitation or obtuned or abusive (think hypoxia)
- retractions and use of accessory muscles
- abnormal sounds
- deviated trachea
What are the different airway management techniques?
- chin lift
- jaw thrust
- oropharyngeal airway
- nasopharyngeal airway
- extra glottic and supraglittic devices
- endotracheal intubation
