Chapter 2 - Airway and Ventilation

Question 1

By what means do early preventable deaths from airway problems from trauma result? (7)

Answer 1

1) Failure to adequately assess airway
2) Failure to recognize need for airway intervention
3) inability to establish airway
4) inability to recognize need for alternative airway plan if failed attempts
5) Failure to recognize incorrectly placed airway/use appropriate techniques to ensure correct placement
6) Displacement of previously established airway
7) Failure to recognize need for ventilation

Question 2

What is a definitive airway?

Answer 2

A tube placed in the trachea with the cuff inflated below the vocal cords, the tube connected to a form of oxygen-enriched assisted ventilation and the airway secured in place with an appropriate stabilizing method.

Question 3

How can facial fractures lead to a difficult airway? (4)

Answer 3

1) hemorrhage
2) swelling
3) increased secretions
4) dislodged teeth

Question 4

What are indications of laryngeal trauma? (3)

Answer 4

1) hoarseness
2) subcutaneous emphysema
3) palpable fracture

Question 5

What factors predict a difficult airway? (7)

Answer 5

1) C spine injury
2) Severe arthritis of the cspine
3) Significant maxillofacial/mandible trauma
4) Obesity
5) Limited mouth opening
6) Anatomical variations
7) Paediatric patients

Question 6

What is needed for intubation? (11)

Answer 6

1) Suction
2) Oxygen
3) Oropharyngeal/Nasopharyngeal airway
4) Laryngoscope
5) Bougie
6) Extraglottic device
7) Surgical/Needle cricothyroidotomy
8) ET tube and sizes
9) Pulse oximetry
10) Capnography
11) Drugs