Chapter 11- Airway Management Flashcards
A complex structure formed by many independent cartilaginous structures that all work together; where the upper airway ends and the lower airway begins; also called the voice box.
larynx
The act of air moving into and out of the lungs during chest compressions.
passive ventilation
A side-lying position used to maintain a clear airway in unresponsive patients who are breathing adequately and do not have suspected injuriesto the sound, hips, or pelvis.
recovery position
The upper tract or the passage above the larynx, which includes the nose, mouth, and throat.
airway
An oxygen-delivery device in which oxygen flows through two small, tubelike prongs that fit into the patient’s nostrils; delivers 24% to 44% supplemental oxygen, depending on the flow rate.
nasal cannula
A tubular structure that extends vertically from the back of the mouth to the esophagus and trachea.
oropharynx
Absence of spontaneous breathing.
apnea
The term used to describe the amount of gas in air or dissolved in fluid, such as blood.
partial pressure
The use of muscles of the chest, back, and abdomen to assist in expanding the chest, occurs when air movement is impaired.
labored breathing
The biochemical processes that result in production of energy from nutrients within the cells; also called cellular respiration.
metabolism
Deficient oxygen concentration in the tissues.
hypoxia
Visualization of the vocal cords, and thereby placement of the endotracheal tube, that is facilitated by use of a video camera and monitor.
video laryngoscopy
A ventilation device attached to a control box that allows the variables of ventilation to be set. If frees the EMT to perform other tasks while the patient is being ventilated.
automatic transport ventilator
Occurs when a foreign body completely obstructs the patient’s airway. The patient can’t breathe, talk, or cough.
severe airway obstruction
Improper placement of an advanced airway device into the esophagus rather than into the trachea.
esophageal intubation
A surgical procedure to create an opening (stoma) into the trachea; a stoma in the neck connects the trachea directly to the skin.
tracheostomy
The exchange of gases between the blood cells and the tissues.
internal respiration
Movement of a gas from an area of higher concentration to an area of lower concentration.
diffusion
A cyclical pattern of abnormal breathing that increases and then decreases in rate and depth, followed by a period of apnea.
Cheyne-Stokes respirations
Movements in which the skin pulls in around the ribs during inspiration.
retractions
The air that remains in the lungs after maximal expiration.
residual volume
A protective item, such as a pocket mask with a valve, that limits exposure to a patient’s body fluids.
barrier device
The process of replacing nitrogen in the lungs with oxygen to maintain a normal oxygen saturation level during advanced airway management.
denitrogenation
An accumulation of air or gas in the pleural cavity that progressively increases pressure in the chest and that interferes with cardiac function, with potentially fatal results.
tension pneumothorax
Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing.
dyspnea
Increased carbon dioxide level in the bloodstream.
hypercarbia
Metabolism that takes place in the absence of oxygen; the main by-product is lactic acid.
anaerobic metabolism
A body part or condition that appears on both sides of the midline.
bilateral
A combination mask and reservoir bag system that is the preferred way to give oxygen in the prehospital setting; delivers up to 90% inspired oxygen and prevents inhaling the exhaled gases (carbon dioxide).
nonrebreathing mask
Bypassing of oxygen-poor blood past nonfunctional alveoli to the left side of the heart.
intrapulmonary shunting
The space in between the vocal cords that is the narrowest portion of the adult’s airway; also called the glottic opening.
glottis
Point at which the trachea bifurcates (divides) into the left and right main stem bronchi.
carina
Thin white bands of tough muscular tissue that are lateral borders of the glottis and serve as the primary center for speech production.
vocal cords
A hollow, cylindrical device used to remove fluid from the patient’s airway.
suction catheter
Space within the chest that contains the heart, major blood vessels, vagus nerve, trachea, major bronchi, and esophagus; located between the two lungs.
mediastinum
Occurs when a foreign body partially obstructs the patient’s airway. The patient is able to move adequate amounts of air, but also experiences some degree of respiratory distress.
mild airway obstruction
Thin membrane that lines the chest cavity.
parietal pleura
A collection of blood in the pleural cavity.
hemothorax
A noninvasive method to quickly and efficiently provide information on a patient’s ventilatory status, circulation, and metabolism; effectively measures the concentration of carbon dioxide in expired air over time.
capnography
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.
apneic oxygenation
Metabolism that can proceed only in the presence of oxygen.
aerobic metabolism
A term used to describe the degree of distress in a patient with a mild airway obstruction. If present, the patient often has a weak, ineffective cough, increased difficulty breathing, or possibly cyanosis and may produce a high-pitched noise during inhalation (stridor).
poor air exchange
The two nerves that innervate the diaphragm; necessary for adequate breathing to occur.
phrenic nerves
In the context of the airway, the introduction of vomitus or other foreign material into thy lungs.
aspiration
The process of providing oxygen, often in combination with ventilation, prior to intubation in order to raise the oxygen levels of body tissues; a critical step in advanced airway management. This extends the time fitting which an advanced airway can be placed in an apneic patient, because the more oxygen that is available in the alveoli, the longer the patient can maintain adequate gas exchange in the lungs during the procedure.
preoxygenation
