airway obstruction Flashcards
what happens to the vocal cords in respiration and phonation?
respiration-abduct (go apart)
phonation- adduct (come together)
what are some special atatomy features in a child?
Large head
Small Nares
Neonates are obligate nasal breather
Relatively large tongue
Small, soft larynx
Higher position (C1)
Weak neck muscles; floppy head
Narrow subglottis (3.5 mm at the cricoid)
what impact does a reduction in airway size by half have?
16x increase in Resistance
75% decrease in cross sectional area
what are some causes of airway obstruction?
Inflammatory/Infective causes /Allergy
Foreign bodies
Physical compression/invasion of airway
Trauma/Iatrogenic Trauma
Neurological causes
Neoplastic causes
Burn
Congenital airway pathology
what are some signs/symptoms of airway obstruction?
SOB on Exertion
SOB at rest Stertor/Stridor
Coughing
Choking
Inability to complete a sentence
Sternal/Subcostal recession
Tracheal tug
Dusky skin colour of skin
Dysphagia
Dysphonia
Pyrexia
Cyanosis
what is stridor?
High pitched harsh noise due to turbulent airflow resulting from airway obstructions
what is stertor?
Low pitched sonorous sound arising from nasopharyngeal airway
which bacteria causes epiglottitis?
haemophilus influenza Type B
how is adult tracheal stenosis treated?
resection of stenosis is first step
laryngotracheal resection may be considered
what is a common predecessor to cardiac failure
respiratory failure
how is respiratory failure managed?
A,B,C: Resuscitation
Oxygen
Heliox
Steroid
Adrenaline
Flexible fibre-optic endoscopy
Secure airway with ET Tube/Tracheostomy
Treat underlying pathology
