Airway obstruction Flashcards
What are the terms for above and below the glottis?
Above = supra Below = Sub
When are the vocal cords closed?
Phonation
When are the vocal cords open?
Respiration
What are the special features of the neonate respiratory system?
Large head Small nares Obligate nasal breather Large tongue Small soft larynx Higher position (C1) Weak neck muscles Floppy head Narrow subglottis
What are the causes of airway obtruction?
Inflammatory Foreign bodies Invasion of airway Trauma Neurological causes Neoplastic Burn Congenital airway pathology
What are some signs and symptoms of airway obstruction?
SOB on exertion or at rest Sterdor/Stridor Coughing Choking Inability to complete setence Subcostal recession Tracheal tug Dusty skin colour Dysphagia Dysphonia Pyrexia Cyanosis
What is Stertor?
Low pitched sonorous sound arising from nasopharyngeal airway
What is Stertor?
Low pitched sonorous sound arising from nasopharyngeal airway
how can burns affect the airway?
Inhalation can cause the larynx to legit melt
What assessment is needed for the airway?
Appearance
Work of breathing
Skin circulation
Should you be able to hear your natural breathing?
NO
What can untreated respiratory difficulty lead to?
Respiratory distress
Respiratory failure
Respiratory arrest
Cardiac arrest
What are signs of respiratory distress in the newborn?
Air in abdomen
Recession in chest
Discomfort in face
Audible breathing
What is the management of airway obstruction?
ABC resuscitation Oxygen Heliox Steroid Adrenaline Flexible fibre-optic endoscopy Secure airway with ET tube Treat underlying pathology
What is used for airway endoscopy?
DIrect laryngoscopy
Microlaryngoscopy
Examination with hopkins rod
Laryngotracheobronchoscopy
