Upper Airway Obstruction Flashcards
What does stridor in the adult patient indicate?
An airway obstruction of at least 50% of the diameter of the upper airway.
What is stridor in the adult patient commonly mistaken for? How can this negatively impact treatment?
Asthma. Bronchodilators are of no benefit to stridor, they require adrenaline.
When auscultating for breath sounds in a ?stridor, what are the likely findings?
Stridor louder in upper lung fields, and loudest in the trachea.
What are the common causes of acute onset stridor?
Most commonly infectious in origin eg. epiglottitis, Ludwig’s angina. May also be caused by a foreign body or an allergic reaction.
What are common chronic causes of stridor?
Congenital/acquired structural abnormalities including tumours.
How should stridor in the airway burned patient be managed?
Per Burns, where Adrenaline is not indicated.
What is the management for suspected FBAO in adults?
Encourage cough. Back blows, chest thrusts, monitor for deterioration.
What is the management for stridor NOT suspected to be FBAO?
5mg Nebulised Adrenaline, consult for a repeat dose.
Dexamethasone 8mg IV or IM.
When is an adult stridor patient indicated for intubation/cricothyroidotomy?
If in severe respiratory distress.
