Chapter 9 Airway Management

Question 1

Key Terms

the passageway by which air enters and leaves the body

Answer 1

Airway

Question 2

Key Terms

the contraction of smooth muscle that lines the bronchial passages that results in a decreased internal diameter of the airway and increased resistance to airflow

Answer 2

Bronchoconstriction

Question 3

Key Terms

vomiting or retching that results when something is placed in the back of the pharynx. This is tied to the swallow reflex

Answer 3

Gag Reflex

Question 4

Key Terms

a means of correcting blockage of the airway by the tongue by tilting the head back and lifting the chin. Used when no trauma, or injury, is suspected

Answer 4

Head-tilt, chin-lift maneuver

Question 5

Key Term

a means of correcting blockage of the airway by moving the jaw forward without tilting the head or neck. Used when trauma, or injury, is suspected to open the airway without causing further injury to the spinal cord in the neck

Answer 5

Jaw-thrust maneuver

Question 6

Key Term

a flexible breathing tube inserted through the patient’s nostril into the pharynx to help maintain an open airway

Answer 6

Nasopharyngeal Airway

Question 7

Key Term

a curved device inserted through the patient’s mouth into the pharynx to help maintain an airway

Answer 7

Oropharyngeal Airway

Question 8

Key Term

an airway (passage from nose or mouth to lungs) that is open and clear and will remain open and clear without interference to the passage of air into and out of the body

Answer 8

Patent Airway

Question 9

Key Term

a high-pitched sound generated from partially obstructed airflow in the upper airway

Answer 9

Stridor

Question 10

Key Term

use of a vacuum device to remove blood, vomitus, and other secretions or foreign materials from the airway

Answer 10

Suctioning

Question 11

Short Answer

Name the main structures of the airway.

Answer 11

The main structures of the airway are the mouth, nose, tongue, nasopharynx, oropharynx, hypopharynx, glottis, trachea, bronchi, bronchioles, and alveoli.

Question 12

Short Answer

Explain why care for the airway is a vital part of emergency care.

Answer 12

Airway care is typically the highest priority because without a patent airway, oxygenation and ventilation cannot occur. Lack of oxygenation will quickly lead to patient death.

Question 13

Short Answer

Describe the signs of an adequate airway.

Answer 13

Signs of an inadequate airway include no air movement, choking, stridor, snoring, and gurgling.

Question 14

Short Answer

Explain when the head-tilt, chin-lift maneuver should be used and when the jaw-thrust maneuver should be used to open the airway and why each method should be used.

Answer 14

The head-tilt, chin-lift maneuver should be used to open the airway on patients who are not at risk of spinal injury. This maneuver moves the head and neck and, therefore, violates the in-line neutral position. The jaw-thrust maneuver should be used on patients with the potential for spinal injury as it theoretically does not move the neck.

Question 15

Short Answer

Explain how airway adjuncts and suctioning help in airway management.

Answer 15

Airway adjuncts help maintain an open airway by moving the tongue (and therefore the epiglottis) forward and creating a channel for air to move within. Suctioning removes liquids and loose substances from the airway to prevent them from obstructing air movement and to prevent aspiration.