Preoperative assessment Flashcards
What does the “L” in LEMON stand for in difficult airway assessment?
“L” stands for Look externally. It involves observing for external signs that could indicate difficulty with intubation, such as facial trauma, short neck, small mouth, prominent teeth, large tongue, or facial hair.
What does the “E” in LEMON stand for in difficult airway assessment?
E” stands for Evaluate the 3-3-2 rule. This rule checks:
3 fingers fit between the teeth
3 fingers from chin to hyoid bone
2 fingers between hyoid bone and thyroid cartilage
What does the “M” in LEMON stand for in difficult airway assessment?
“M” stands for Mallampati score, which assesses visibility of the soft palate, uvula, and tonsillar pillars. Higher scores (Class III and IV) indicate a more difficult airway.
What does the “O” in LEMON stand for in difficult airway assessment?
“O” stands for Obstruction, which refers to any blockage in the airway, such as foreign bodies, tumors, or soft tissue swelling, especially after burns or trauma.
What does the “N” in LEMON stand for in difficult airway assessment?
“N” stands for Neck mobility, which assesses the ability to extend the neck backward. Limited mobility can make intubation more difficult, particularly in trauma cases where cervical collars are used.
Class I of the Mallampti
Full visibility of the soft palate, uvula, and tonsillar pillars.
Class II
Soft palate and uvula visible, but not the tonsillar pillars.
Class III
Only the soft palate and base of the uvula are visible.
Class IV
Only the hard palate is visible; the soft palate cannot be seen.
What does the first part of the 3-3-2 rule assess?
It assesses the person’s ability to open their mouth wide enough for the endotracheal tube and laryngoscope to reach the airway comfortably.
What does the second part of the 3-3-2 rule evaluate?
It evaluates whether there is enough space for intubation within the pharynx, using the chin-to-hyoid bone distance.
