Airway Flashcards
(87 cards)
Contraindications for awake nasal intubation “blind” nasaotracheal intubation
- nasal fx.
- nasal obstruction
- coagulopathy or bleeding disorder
- acute infection (sinusitis, mastoiditis)
- basilar skull fx.
- intra-nasal or pharyngeal abscess
Indications for awake nasal intubation “blind” nasaotracheal intubation
- Questionable airway (obesity, difficult anatomy, u/a to open mouth r/t trauma, wired shut, pain, etc…)
- Oral& maxillofacial sx. Pt. u/a to open mouth
- Spontaneous breathing pt. in respiratory distress (ICU, ER, etc)
- Cervical fx.
- Neuro injury
- trismus or jaw fx.
Advantages of awake nasal intubation “blind” nasaotracheal intubation
- more stable tube fixation
- less chance of kinked tube
- Greater comfort in an awake pt.
- Away from oral sx. site
Disadvantages of awake nasal intubation “blind” nasaotracheal intubation
- small tube size increased resistance
- additional equipment needed (Magill forcepts, vasoconstrictor)
- increase bleeding
- may be more difficult to direct NET than under direct visualization
- Patient cooperation mandatory
- Very stimulating for pt.
Which nare should be used for nasal intubation
-Nare that the patient breathes the easiest through. If no difference, use the right nare)
Why is the right nare preferred for nasal intubation?
When inserted in the right nare, the bevel of most tracheal tubes will face the flat nasal septum, reducing damage to turbinates
Purpose of using a NPA prior to nasal inttubation
- spread local anesthetic
- assess patency
Which nare do you apply the vaso-constrictor to prior to nasal intubatiob?
Both
Position of head during an awake nasal intubatiion
amended /”sniffing” position (slight flexion oh head forward with head turned to left or right)
What size NET is usually used
7 or 8
How do you actually insert the NET
slowly and gently along the floor of nose innnto the pharynx where you will feel least resistance. Listen for breath sounds (BS) and continue to insert as long BS are maximal & tubular in quality. (If hey diminish re-direct towards glottis)
What type of tube is good for NET intubation and why?
Endotrol r/t bent tip
What does it mean if a patient starts coughing during NET insertion? What should be done?
- Coughing indicates correct positioning
- Cont. to advance tube through vocal cords
What should be done if the NET doesn’t go into trachea?
Pull back to maximal breath sounds are heard and re-direct tube
Causes of epistaxis during NET insertion
- too large tube
- not enough lubricant
- rough/ vigorous instrumentation
Where might the NET be if it wasn’t placed in the trachea
- vallecula
- on the anterior commisure
- against closed glottis during laryngospasm
- esophagus
- pyriform sinus
What should be maintained while assessing a difficult airway situation?
Masked ventilation
What should be maintained if a patient has a full stomack during a difficult intubation
cricoid pressure
Define “Difficult airway”
Any intubation that takes a skiiilled anesthetist more than 3 attempts or 10 minutes
If intubation is unsuccessful what should be done?
- Allow pt. to awaken or an attempt at an awake intubation
- If NDMR used, ventilate patient until reversal is posible
When should a glidescope or fiberoptic intubation be done?
Before the field is obscured with blood, edema, secretions, etc..
Complete this sentence: It takes longer to do a tracheostomy than_________________
it takes for CNS damage to occur
It is strongly recommended that every operating suite be equipt with what airway supplies?
-intubation cart containing: adult & pediatric fiber optic endoscope, a light source, assortment of laryngoscopes& blades, airways, ET tubes & stylets, cricothyrotomy set and means for transtracheal jet ventilation, and equipment for retrograde intubation
What is the next option if unable to ventilate a pregnant mom with a baby in distress?
Get an LMA if you can’t ventilate