Airway & Respiratory Emergencies Flashcards
2 types of airway obstruction & outcomes
partial or complete
partial often->complete if not cleared
complete->respiratory arrest if not cleared
4 mins from complete obstruction to brain damage
(U) in pre-hospital setting
Types of airways
oral airways
nasal
laryngeal mask
Foreign body aspiration in a Toddler sxs
- persistent cough, unilateral wheezing
- NO URI sxs (can be tough)
- ↓breath sounds
- often not seen on CXR
- post-obstructive atelectasis, pneumonia
- not always down right mainstem
Emergency Room at Trauma Center
LeForte fractures
Basilar skull fractures
Burn Center
Airway edema
Anaphylaxis & Acute Allergic Rxns
Severe hypersensitivity rxn w/ CV collapse & resp comp
Anaphylaxis & Acute Allergic Rxns: Pathophysiology
- Antigen-antibody binds to mast cells
- IgE mediated histamine release
- increased vascular permeability, vasodilation, bronchial constriction
- increased mucous gland secretion
Anaphylaxis & Acute Allergic Rxns: (C) causes (4)
- Antibiotics
- ASA & NSAIDs
- shellfish, nuts, eggs, milk
- hymenopytera stings
Anaphylaxis & Acute Allergic Rxns: clinical features (6)
onset: secs to hrs angioedema tightening in throat/chest laryngeal swelling & bronchial spasm, hoarseness, stridor, wheezing respiratory distress & apnea
Anaphylaxis & Acute Allergic Rxns: Dx
clinical
check airway, BP, SaO2, lungs immediately
Dx of anaphylaxis & Acute Allergic Rxns
clinical
check airway, BP, SaO2, lungs immediately
Anaphylaxis & Acute Allergic Rxns: Tx (8)
1- airway management 2- oxygen 3- antihistamines: H1 (diphenhydramine or hydroxyzine), H2 (cimetidine) 4- Beta2 agonists (albuterol) 5- steroids (methylprednisolone) 6- endotracheal intubation 7- surgical airway 8- If hypoTN: IV bolus and epi
Angioedema
(S) to urticaria but w/
LARGER EDEMATOUS AREAS,
INVOLVE BOTH DERMIS & SUBCUTANEOUS,
frequently involving the head & neck
Causes of angioedema (3)
- hereditary or acquired
- insufficient synthesis of C1esterase inhibitor (rare, autosomal dominant)
- ACE inhibitors
Tx of angioedema (5)
Airway management
Supportive
Plasma concentrate of C1 esterase inhibitor
Epinepherine, antihistamines, steroids
Danazol:↑synthesis of C1 esterase inhibitor
Retropharyngeal Abscess: definition
- a localized collection of pus in the retropharyngeal space
- rare
Retropharyngeal Abscess: caused by (4)
- mixed gram negative & anaerobic bacteria
- tonsillitis
- otitis media
- pharyngeal trauma
Retropharyngeal Abscess: signs & symptoms (9)
"FOND M CATS" Fever Odynophagia Neck swelling Drooling Meningismus Cervical adenopathy Airway obstruction Torticollis Stridor
Retropharyngeal Abscess: dx
clinical
soft tissue lateral neck x-rays (gas, mass)
CT Neck
Retropharyngeal Abscess: tx (4)
Airway Management
Antibiotics
Admission
Surgical Drainage
Epiglottitis
infection of the supraglottic structures including the epiglottis, lingual tonsillar area, epiglottic folds & false vocal cords
Epiglottitis epidemiology
age 2-7 before H. influenza B vaccine
stem occasionally in adults
HiB, Strep, Staph (not 100% protected by vaccine)
rare
Signs and Sxs of Epiglottitis
abrupt onset over several hours fever stridor toxic appearance dysphagia odynophagia (painful swallowing) drooling tripod position altered LOC cyanosis airway obstruction
Epiglottitis dx
-best if done clinically due to the tenuous airway
NEVER stick a tongue blade in throat
-soft tissue lateral neck x-ray if very stable
Epiglottitis tx
IMMEDIATE attention to control the airway
-Antibiotics once airway is secured
3rd generation cephalosporin
Croup (Laryngotracheobronchitis) description & usual cause
(U) benign, self limited inflammatory condition of the trachea below the level of the vocal cords (subglottic),
(U) caused by parainfluenza virus
Croup (Laryngotracheobronchitis) epidemiology
age range 6 months to 3 years
can see as old as 15 years
increased in winter
Croup (Laryngotracheobronchitis) signs and sxs
2-3 day history of URI low grade fever gradual worsening "barking seal" cough, especially at night stridor dyspnea retractions tachypnea