Chapter 11: Airway Management Flashcards
Define: aerobic metabolism
metabolism that can proceed only in the presence of oxygen
Define: aerosol-generating procedure
any airway manipulation that induces the prouction of aerosols that may present a risk for airborne transmission of pathogens, such as CPR
Define: agonal gasps
abnormal breathing pattern characterized by slow, gasping breaths, sometimes seen in pts in cardiac arrest
Define: airway
the upper airway tract or the passage above the larynx, which includes the nose, mouth, and throat
Define: alveolar minute volume
the volume of air moved through the lungs in 1 minute minus the dead space; calculated by multiplying tidal volume (minus dead space) and respiratory rate
Define: American Standard Safety System
a safety system for large oxygen cylinders, designed to prevent the accidental attachment of a regulator to a cylinder containing the wrong type of gas
Define: anaerobic metabolism
the metabolism that takes place in the absence of O2, the main by-product is lactic acid
Define: apnea
absence of spontaneous breathing
Define: apneic oxygenation
a technique in which oxygen administered via a high flow nasal cannula is left in place during an intubation attempt, allowing for continuous oxygen delivery into the airways during all phases of the procedure
Define: aspiration
in the context of the aiway, the introduction of vomitus or other foreign material into the lungs
Define: ataxic respirations
irregular, ineffective respirations that may or may not have an identifiable pattern
Define: automic transport ventilatro (ATV)
a ventilation device attached to a control box that allows the variables of ventilation to be set. It frees the EMT to perofrm other tasks while the pt is being ventilated
Define: bag-mask device
a device with a one-way valve and a face mask attached to a ventilation bag; when attached to a reservoir and connected to oxygen, it delivers more than 90% supplemental oxygen
Define: barrier device
a protective item, such as a pocket mask, with a valve, that limits exposure to a pt’s bodily fluids
Define: bilateral
a body part or condition that appears on both sides of the midline
Define: bronchioles
subdivision of the smaller bronchi in the lungs; made of smooth muscle and dilate or constrict in response to various stimuli
Define: capnography
a noninvasive method to quickly and efficiently provide info on a pt’s ventilatory status, circulation, and metabolism. It effectively measures the concentration of carbon dioxide in expires air overtime
Define: capnometry
the use of a capnometer, a device that measures the amount of expired CO2
Define: carina
point at which the trachea bifurcates into the left and right main stem bronchi
Define: chemoreceptors
monitor the levels of O2, CO2, and the pH of the cerebrospinal fluid and then provide feedback to the respiratory centers to modify the rate and depth of breathing based on the body’s needs at any given time
Define: Cheyne-stokes respirations
a cyclical pattern of abnormal breathing that increases and then decreases in rate and depth, followed by a period of apnea
Define: compliance
the ability of alveoli to expand when air is drawn in during inhalation
Define: continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP)
a method of ventilation used primarily in the treatment of critically ill pts w respiratory distress; can prevent the need for endotracheal intubation
Define: dead space
any portion of the airway that does contain air and cannot participate in gas exchange, such as the trachea and bronchi
Define: denitrogenation
the process of replacing nitrogen in the lungs with oxygen to maintain a normal oxygen saturation level during advanced airway management
Define: diffusion
movement of gas from an area of higher concentration to an area of lower concentration
Define: direct laryngoscopy
visualization of the airway with a laryngoscope
Define: dyspnea
shortness of breath
Define: endotracheal (ET) intubation
insertion of an endotracheal tune directly through the larynx between the vocal cords and into the trachea to maintain and protect an airway
Define: end-tidal CO2
the amount of carbon dioxide present at the end of an exhaled breath
Define: esophageal intubation
improper placement of an advanced airway device into the esophagus rather than into the trachea
Define: exhalation
the passive part of breathing process in which the diaphragm and the intercostal muscles relax, forcing air out of the lungs
Define: external respiration
the exchange of gases between the lungs and the blood cells in the pulmonary capillaries; also called pulmonary respiration
Define: gag reflex
a normal reflex mechanism that causes retching; activated by touching the soft palate or the back of the throat
Define: gastric distention
a condition in which air fills the stomach, often as a result of high volume and pressure during artificial ventilation
Define: glottis
the space in between the vocal cords that is the narrowest portion of the adult’s airway; also called the glottic opening
Define: good air exchange
a term used to distinguish the degree of distress in a pt w a mild airway obstruction. With good air exchange, the pt is still conscious and able to cough forcefully, although wheezing may be heard
Define: gum elastic bougie
a flexible device that is inserted between the glottis under direct laryngoscopy; the endotracheal tube is threated over the device, facilitating its entry into the trachea