upper airway obstruction

Question 1

common causes

Answer 1

tongue, foreign matter, trauma, burns, allergic reaction, infection

Question 2

assessment

Answer 2

unresponsive: if snoring respirations are present, assume tongue or denture obstruction or a food bolus in the trachea

if conscious and able to speak, assume partial obstruction

Question 3

management for a conscious adult

Answer 3

partial: if the pt can speak don’t interfere and encourage coughing.

complete: perform abdominal thrusts and chest thrusts if abdominal thrusts don’t work or if the pt is obese or preggers

Question 4

management for unconscious adult

Answer 4

head tilt/jaw thrust
CPR
see if the object is visible and remove it
use the laryngoscope and magill forceps