Intro to airway management

Question 1

Three tasks of the human airway

Answer 1

protects: physical, from aspiration and lymphatic, from microorganisms
Conduction: oxygen, carbon dioxide and anesthetic vapors
Air Conditioning: heat and humidification

Question 2

What happens to the airway during an anesthetic for a conscious patient?

Answer 2

talking, swallowing, protecting his/her own airway

Question 3

What happens to the airway during an anesthetic for an unconscious patient (breathing with patent airway)?

Answer 3

breathing with patent airway:

We can deliver oxygen

Question 4

What happens to the airway during an anesthetic for an unconscious patient (attempting to breath but airway obstructed)?

Answer 4

attempting to breath but airway obstructed:
We can deliver oxygen
Provide airway support - Jaw thrust maneuver
-OAW, NAW
-Positive pressure ventilation with bag mask

Question 5

What happens to the airway during an anesthetic for an unconscious patient with neuromuscular blockade?

Answer 5

Can deliver oxygen

Provide positive pressure ventilation- bag mask, LMA, ETT

Question 6

Vertebral level of Hyoid bone

Answer 6

C3

Question 7

Vertebral level of Thyroid cartilage

Answer 7

C4-C5

Question 8

Vertebral level of Cricoid cartilage

Answer 8

C6