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ENT > 2.3: Airway Obstruction > Flashcards

2.3: Airway Obstruction Flashcards

1
Q

Above –X– is the upper airway
Below –X– is the lower airway
What is –X–?

A

The Vocal Chords

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2
Q

Describe the upper airway?

A

The upper airway contains the nose and mouth

These are the oral and nasal passageways for air

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3
Q

Describe the use of the oral and nasal airways?

A

We mainly breathe through our nose

Occasionally breathe through our mouth e.g.: When nose is blocked, when we are asleep

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4
Q

Where does the lower airway end?

A

At the alveoli

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5
Q

Describe the function of the nose in relation to the alveoli?

A

The nose warms and humidifies the air for diffusion at the alveoli

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6
Q

Describe the larynx?

  • Junction between what?
  • Composed of what?
A

Vital junction between the upper and lower airway

Composed of cartilage held together by ligaments

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7
Q
  • PHOTO 1 Are these pictures normal or abnormal?

What are they of… 1, 2, 3?

A

Normal
1 = Vocal chords and epiglottis
2 = Subglottis and part of trachea
3 = Trachea (dividing into left and right bronchi)

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8
Q

*PHOTO 2 What does the picture show?

A

Vocal chords and larynx

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9
Q

Describe the movement of vocal chords

  • In general?
  • On breathing
  • On speaking
A

The vocal chords do not vibrate
They move as air goes past them

Upon breathing, they ABDUCT
Upon phonation (speaking), they ADDUCT
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10
Q

What is phonation?

A

Speaking

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11
Q

Describe some features of the airway that are different in babies?
Describe the effect of a blocked nose?

A

Obligate nasal breathers
Narrow subglottis
They can only breathe through their nose so a blocked nose is an issue

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12
Q

Decrease in radius of just Xmm will cause an increase in resistance by Y times
X?
Y?

A

2mm

16 times

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13
Q

Describe inflammation of the airways and the effect this has on babies?
On adults?

A

They have very narrow airways anyway
A cold and infection leading to inflammation causes very narrow airways and can lead to obstruction
Less of a problem in adults who have wider airways

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14
Q

What is stridor?

A

High pitched, harsh noise caused by turbulent airflow due to airway obstruction

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15
Q

What is inspiratory stridor a sign of? (Children)

A

Croup

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16
Q

What is Stertor?

A

A low pitched, snoring or gasping sound. Heard on inspiration only. Comes from the nasopharyngeal airway

17
Q

Give some causes of airway obstruction?

A 
Inflammation/Infection
Foreign Body
Physical Compression/Invasion
Trauma
Congenital Airway Pathology
Iatrogenic
Burn
18
Q

Inflammation of the T______ in children can be a large problem leading to airway obstruction

A

Tonsils

19
Q

What is acute Epiglottitis?

A

This is inflammation of the epiglottis
Seen in children
Can cause airway obstruction

20
Q

Foreign bodies causing airway obstruction in adults and children –> Common or uncommon?

A

Very common

21
Q

Describe how malignancy can cause obstruction?

A

Presents as gradually increasing breathing difficulty

Can cause compression/invasion leading to obstruction

22
Q

What is recurrent respiratory Papillomatosis?

  • What?
  • Cause?
  • Complications (2)?
A

This is small growths on the larynx
Caused by HPV infection
Can progress to breathing difficulties and obstruction
Can transform to become malignant

23
Q

Subglottic stenosis:

  • Seen in who?
  • Types?
  • What?
  • Common example?
A

This is seen in children
Congenital or acquired
Narrowing of the airway below the vocal chords
Premature baby that needs intubation - tube causes irritation and the glottis becomes narrow and tight

24
Q

Describe adult subglottic stenosis?

A

This is a narrowing of the airway below the vocal chords
This can be caused by trauma (intubation) or vasculitis
May require a balloon to re-inflate the glottis

25
Q

Describe trauma?

Burns?

A

Trauma is a very common cause for airway obstruction
In any trauma case, it is important to secure the airway (A, B, C, D, E)
Burns is another common reason for airway obstruction

26
Q

Why is it important to identify and treat respiratory distress?

A

Can progress to respiratory failure then cardiac arresst

27
Q

Management of someone with suspected airway obstruction?

A 
A, B, C
Oxygen
Steroids
Adrenaline
Intubation/Trachy
28
Q

What is better, intubation or Tracheostomy?

A

Tracheostomy should be avoided at all costs

ENT (17 decks)

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