Airway Management

Question 1

What two things need to be checked in an airway assessment?

Answer 1

Patency and protection

Protection may mean intubating if the patient has a disorder that may later lead to occlusion of the airway.

Question 2

The “head tilt chin lift” maneuver should only be used in patients with _____________.

Answer 2

no suspected cervical spine injury; in these patients, carefully do the jaw thrust maneuver

Question 3

What’s the purpose of an oropharyngeal airway?

Answer 3

Oropharyngeal airways (OPAs) are small, curved, plastic tubes that hold the tongue to the anterior aspect of the mouth, keeping the airway protected.

Question 4

___________ is often given to infants to blunt the vagal response to intubation.

Answer 4

Atropine

Question 5

What are the three most common sedative agents used for rapid sequence intubation (RSI)?

Answer 5

• Propofol (major downside is hypotension)
• Etomidate (often the favorite because it doesn’t change BP)
• Ketamine (causes hypertension and increased secretions)

Question 6

The two most common paralytic agents used are ________________.

Answer 6

succinylcholine and rocuronium

Question 7

Describe the difference between a Miller and a Macintosh blade.

Answer 7

• Macintosh: curved (like the curved letter a); inserted between the tongue and epiglottis; more commonly used in adults
• Miller: straight (like the straight letter I); inserted posterior to the epiglottis; more commonly used in children