Airway Obstruction Flashcards
What are the special features of infants’ airways?
small nares relatively large tongue small soft larynx higher position of larynx at C1 weak neck muscles and floppy head narrow subglottis
What is the equation for air flow resistance?
air flow resistance = 1/(rxrxrxr)
What increases resistance to air flow?
radius of the airway decreases
What are the causes of airway obstruction?
inflammatory infection allergy foreign bodies physical compression invasion of airway trauma iatrogenic neurological causes burn congenital airway pathology
What are the symptoms of airway obstruction?
SOB on exertion and/or rest
coughing
choking
inability to complete sentences
What are the signs airway obstruction?
stridor stertor sternal/subcostal recession tracheal tug dusky colour of skin dysphagia dysphonia pyrexia cyanosis
What is stridor?
high pitched harsh noise due to turbulent airflow resulting from airway obstructions
What is stretor?
low pitched sonorous sound arising from nasopharyngeal airway
What is sternal/subcostal recession?
indrawing of abdomen just below rib cage
What is tracheal tug?
downward pull of trachea
What is dysphonia?
difficulty speaking
What should be assessed in an airway obstruction?
appearance
skin circulation
work of breathing
What can respiratory distress progress to?
respiratory distress- respiratory failure - respiratory arrest - cardiac arrest
What is the management of an airway obstruction?
ABC resuscitation oxygen heliox steroid adrenaline flexible fibre-optic endoscopy secure airway with ET tube/tracheostomy treat underlying pathology
What does heliox do?
decreases work of breathing
