basic airway management Flashcards
what is the pharynx?
cavity which connects the nose and mouth to the larynx and oesophagus
what are the different sections of the pharynx?
- nasopharynx
- oropharynx
- laryngopharynx
what are the causes of airway obstruction?
- reduced conscious level
- vomit or blood
- foreign body aspiration
- airway swelling
- mass that compromises the airway
- congenital airway abnormality
- iatrogenic
how does reduced conscious level result in airway obstruction?
decreased muscle tone –> posterior displacement of the tongue
what are the causes of airway swelling?
- oedema
- burns
- anaphylaxis
- tonsillar hypertrophy
- croup
- epiglottitis
name a congenital airway abnormality?
congenital subglottic stenosis
what are the types of airway adjuncts?
- oro-pharyngeal or guedel airway adjuncts
- naso-pharyngeal airway adjuncts
how is a guedel airway size assessed?
sized by the length that corresponds to the vertical distance between the patient’s incisors and the angle of the jaw
how is a naso-pharyngeal airway size assessed?
length corresponds to the distance between the tip of the patient’s nose to the earlobe
how much oxygen is delivered through a nasal cannulae?
1-4 L/min
how much oxygen is delivered through a hudson mask?
5-10 L/min
how much oxygen is delivered through a venturi mask?
flow rate depends on the colour of the adaptor
how much oxygen is delivered through a non-rebreather mask?
15 L/min
