Airway Skills Flashcards
List the indications for Digital Intubation
Cramped quarters, awkward position, poor lighting, upright patient, inability to visualize vocal cords, copious oral secretions or vomitus, suspected cervical spine trauma, laryngoscope unavailable or malfunctioning
List the contraindications for Digital Intubation
Gag reflex, inability to open mouth due to trauma, fracture, dislocation or pathologic condition
List complications for Digital Intubation
Trauma to airway, being bitten, esophageal intubation, right mainstream bronchial intubation
List the indications for Nasotracheal Intubation
Awake intubation technique, long term intubation, laryngoscope unavailable or malfunctioning, laryngoscopy not possible, unable to open mouth
List the contraindications for Nasotracheal Intubation
Apnea, basilar skull fractures, CSF rhinorrhea, foreign body in the upper airway, severe facial fractures, inability to pass tube through nostril
List the relative contraindications for Nasotracheal Intubation
Bleeding disorders, Combative patient
List complications for Nasotracheal Intubation
Epistaxis, Increased ICP, esophageal intubation, hypoxia, submucosal dissection, nasotracheal trauma, infections
List the indications for Endotracheal Intubation
Inability to protect/maintain airway or inadequate ventilation (not reversible), blood gases
indicate need for intubation (decompensation)
List the contraindications for Endotracheal Intubation
Intact gag reflex, caustic ingestion, esophageal disease/trauma, tracheal fracture or disruption,
Do Not Resuscitate (DNR)/Do Not Intubate (DNI) orders
List complications for Endotracheal Intubation
Esophageal intubation, bronchial intubation, dental/pharyngeal/ airway trauma, inadequate ventilation, laryngospasm, aspiration/vomiting of gastric contents, hypertension
How long should you preoxygenate someone before endotracheal intubation? How?
Pre-oxygenate the patient for 2 - 3 minutes with BVM and high flow nasal cannula (both at 15 LPM)
What does BURP stand for? When is it used?
Backwards, upwards, rightwards, posterior pressure. It applies pressure to the thyroid cartilage to bring the vocal cords into view during intubation.
What is a percutaneous cricothyrotomy?
AKA Needle Cricothyrotomy. When you cric using a 14-16g IV cath, and then connect to a 3mL syringe (without plunger) and a 15mm BVM connector robbed from a #7 ETT tube. #MacGyver
What are the indications for a percutaneous (needle) cricothyrotomy?
Inability to intubate/unsuccessful intubation, airway obstruction, temporary airway
List the contraindications for a percutaneous cricothyrotomy
Ability to secure an airway by other means, larynx/cricoid/trachea trauma
List complications of a percutaneous (needle) cricothyrotomy
Hemorrhage, barotrauma, subcutaneous emphysema, infection, tracheal/esophageal injury, cannula misplacement, bleeding
At what angle do you insert the cath in a percutaneous (needle) cricothyrotomy?
Stabilize the larynx and insert the needle into the cricothyroid membrane at a 45 degree angle toward the feet.
List the indications for a cricothyrotomy
Failed airway/inability to oxygenate, airway obstruction, temporary airway
List the contraindications for a cricothyrotomy
Ability to secure an airway by other means, inability to landmark, child younger than 8
List the complications for cricothyrotomy
Incorrect/ unsuccessful tube placement, tracheal/esophageal injury/swelling/trauma, asphyxia,
hemorrhage, infection, subcutaneous emphysema, tube occlusion
How big of an incision do you make for a cricothyrotomy? Where?
1-2 cm vertical incision over the cricothyroid membrane then puncture the cricothyroid membrane and make a horizontal cut 1 cm in each direction from the
midline, using the index finger as a guide.