Chapter 13 Airway Management Flashcards
Visual Observation of the patient
includes what? In terms of Airway Management.
Assessing the patient’s breathing and positioning
What is the term for difficulty breathing while lying flat?
Orthopnea
What does Auscultation mean?
Listening to sounds with a stethoscope
What is the affect of ventilation on a patient with Increased Compliance?
Air enters the lungs with ease
What can be indicated by Decreased Compliance in a patient?
A possible airway obstruction
What is a Pulsus Paradoxus?
A patients systolic blood pressure drops 10 mmHg during inhalation
What are the body’s protective reflexes for the airway?
Coughing and Sneezing
What is a Manual Airway Maneuver?
Techniques to maintain a patent airway
Ex. Head tilt-chin lift, Jaw Thrust
What device does the paramedic use to give positive pressure ventilations?
Bag Valve Mask (BVM)
What term refers to equal chest rise?
Symmetrical Chest Movement
What are 7 potential causes of an inaccurate pulse oximetry reading?
Bright Ambient Light
Patient Motion
Poor Perfusion
Nail Polish
Venous Pulsations
Abnormal Hemoglobin
CO poisoning
What does Respiratory Distress indicate?
What does their nose tell us?
Patient’s breathing may be inadequate
Patients in respiratory distress may have flared nostrils
Describe Quick Breaths
Rapid inhalation followed by prolonged exhalation
What is the term that refers to treatments attempted before a patient assessment?
Interventions prior to arrival
What is a Medication History?
Current medications that the patient is taking or should be taking
What is the purpose of the Tongue-Jaw Lift maneuver?
Lift the patients tongue to clear an airway obstruction
What is an Airway Obstruction
A mild, partial, or full blockage preventing airflow in the respiratory tract
What is a Laryngeal Injury?
Damage to the airway affecting patency and resistance
What is a Laryngeal Spasm?
Closure of the focal cords blocking airflow through the trachea
What are the symptoms of a mild airway obstruction?
Patient can still exchange air but is often coughing
What are the symptoms of a full airway obstruction?
Patient has a sudden inability to breathe, talk, or cough
What does the term Lung Compliance refer to?
The Alveoli’s ability to expand during ventilation
What is Suctioning?
Using vacuum pressure to clear the airway of fluids or obstructions
Why are blind finger sweeps not recommended?
They may push an obstruction deeper into the airway
What does the term Ventilatory Effort mean?
Muscle activity that facilitates breathing
What term describes shortness of breath due to an obstruction?
Dyspnea
What term describes a loss of voice from a severe airway obstruction?
Aphonia
What term describes difficulty speaking due to an airway issue?
Dysphonia
What is the name of the tool used for suctioning?
Suction Catheter
Ex. Tonsil Tip, Whistle Tip, Rigid
What is the container for collecting suctioned fluids called?
Fluid Collection Bottle
What are 2 potential complications of airway management?
Trauma and Aspiration
What do Flowmeters do?
Allow adjustment of oxygen delivery from 1-25 L/min
What is special about a Bourdon-Gauge Flowmeter?
Unaffected by gravity
What is special about a Pressure Compensated Flowmeter?
Uses a float ball to measure gas flow
What is a combination mask system?
A mask combined with a reservoir bag that does not allow back flow
How does a Venturi Mask work?
Mixes room air with oxygen
When should an oxygen humidifier be used with a Nasal Canula?
When the nasal canula is being used for a prolonged period of time
More than 2 hours
What is the proper treatment for a patient that is not breathing?
Artificial Ventilations with high flow supplemental oxygen
