Airway Management

Question 1

What does the sniff position do?

Answer 1

aligns the axis’ of the airway

opens airway up for better intubation

Question 2

What are the 3 axis’ of the airway?

Answer 2

1. oral airway
2. pharyngeal airway
3. laryngeal airway

Question 3

Identify the 4 types of airway obstruction.

Answer 3

1. soft tissue obstruction (tongue)
2. swelling
3. laryngospasm
4. bronchospasm

Question 4

What are the causes of soft tissue obstruction?

Answer 4

anesthetized tongue loses tone, occludes posterior pharynx

Question 5

What are the treatments for soft tissue obstruction?

Answer 5

1. chin lift
2. jaw thrust
3. nasal airway
4. oral airway

Question 6

How do oral & nasal airways help obstruction?

Answer 6

both lift tongue off posterior pharynx

Question 7

How do you size a nasal airway?

Answer 7

length from nares meatus of ear

diameter of pt’s pinky

Question 8

What are the causes of airway swelling?

Answer 8

• traumatic intubation/multiple laryngoscopies
• anaphylaxis (allergic rxn)
• burned patient
• fluid overload

Question 9

What are the stages of anesthesia?

Answer 9

Stage 1: pt awake
Stage 2: pt lightly anesthetized
Stage 3: pt deeply anesthetized
Stage 4: anesthesia OD

Question 10

What stage are pt’s most likely to laryngospasm at?

Answer 10

Stage 2 bc 1/2 awake, 1/2 asleep

Question 11

What is the cause of laryngospasms?

Answer 11

vocal cord stimulation during stage 2

• ETT
• secretions

Question 12

Should you extubate during stage 2?

Answer 12

No!

Wait until stage 1 or 3 to extubate

Question 13

What are the treatments for laryngospasms?

Answer 13

1. jaw thrust
2. • airway P w/ mask
3. Propofol
4. succ
   (relaxes vocal cords bc taking to deeper sedation)

Question 14

What is a bronchospasm?

Answer 14

irritation in lungs that leads to irritation or constriction

Question 15

What are the possible causes of bronchospasms?

Answer 15

1. ETT
2. light anesthesia
3. anaphylaxis (allergic rxn)
4. aspiration
5. Desflurane

Question 16

Who is more at risk for bronchospasms?

Answer 16

asthmatics & smokers

Question 17

What are the treatments for bronchospasms?

Answer 17

If light anesthesia was the cause...
- give Prop
All other causes...
- give bronchodilators
       1. Beta-2 agonists (inhaler)
       2. epinephrine
       3. volatile agent

Question 18

How do you treat pt coughing on tube?

Answer 18

1. dose of muscle relaxant
2. deeper anesthesia (volatile agent or narcotics)
3. LTA kit

Question 19

What the difference b/t regurge & vomiting?

Answer 19

Regurge is passive reflux

Vomiting is active reflux

Question 20

What is the cause of regurge?

Answer 20

↓ in lower esophageal tone

Question 21

How do you prevent regurge?

Answer 21

cricoid P

Question 22

How do you prevent vomiting?

Answer 22

1. Trendelenburg position
2. lay head to side
3. suction

Question 23

What is aspiration?

Answer 23

contents of stomach enter lungs