All skills Flashcards
NPA
contraindications
none
NPA
Precuastions
Facial fracture or suspected basal skull fracture
- possibility of cerebral intrusion (only insert if necessary to maintain airway)
TBI/nTBI
- stimulating a gag reflex can significantly worsen intracranial pressure (only use if necessary)
NPA
How to
- Select size by measuring from the corner of the nose to the earlobe
- lubricate the distal end
- Push the tip of the nose gently upwards
- inset NPA into the widest nostril, 90degress to patient’s face, with gentle rotations if required (if resistance try other nostrils)
- remove if the patient gags (look for subtle movement in the neck)
- suction with a Y-suction catheter can be passed down the NPA to suction the pharynx if required
OPA
indications
- support airway patency in the unconscious patient
- bite block in intubated patient
NPA
indications
- support airway patency in the unconscious patient (preferred in patients with trismus, gag reflex, and oral trauma in addition to other adjuncts to optimise airway patency)
OPA
contraindications
- trismus
- gag reflex
- TBI/nTBI with adequate ventilation/oxygenation (stimulating gag reflex can worsen intracranial pressure)
OPA
How to do
- select size by measuring from the angle of the jaw to the middle of incisor (front teeth)
- hold OPA by the flange and insert it upside down until halfway in (to clear the tongue to prevent pushing it back into the airway)
- rotate 180 degrees over the tongue while continuing to insert (if patient gags immediately remove)
- insert until flange resting against lips
- remove if the patient gags
SGA
indications
- unconscious Pt without gag reflex
- ineffective ventilation with BVM and basic airway management (Mx)
- <10 minutes assisted ventilation required
- unable to intubate
SGA
contraindications
- intact gag reflex or resistance to insertion
- strong jaw tone or trismus
- suspected epiglottis or upper airway obstruction
SGA
precautions/side effects
- inability to prepare the Pt in the sniffing potions
- Pts who require high airway pressure
- Paediatric Pts who may have enlarged tonsils
- vomit in the airway
side-effects
- correct placement does not prevent passive regurgitation or gastric distension
SGA
size
Size 1
- 2-5 kg and not max side of gastric tube
Size 1.5
- 5-12 kg and max size of gastric tube it 10
size 2.0
- 10-12 kg and max size gastric tube 12
size 2.5
- 25-35 kg and max size of gastric tube 12
size 3.0
- 30-60 kg and max size of gastric tube 12
size 4.0
- 50-90 kg and max size of gastric tube 12
size 5.0
- 90+ kg and max size of gastric tube 14
SGA
How to do
- Don gloves, respiratory mask, eyewear.
-Assess consciousness and airway reflexes.
-Choose the appropriate size of LMA/i-gel® for the patient’s body weight.
-Open packaging, maintaining hygiene. If using i-gel®, remove from protective cradle.
-Lay out LMA/i-gel® and other airway resuscitation equipment on a clean surface. - Place the patient supine with head in neutral anatomical or sniffing position.
- Ensure any foreign material is cleared from airway before inserting LMA.
- Lubricate back, sides and tip of distal LMA/i-gel® mask with water-based gel.
- Perform chin lift to open mouth sufficiently wide to allow mask insertion.
- Hold stem firmly. Introduce tip into mouth. Gently direct upwards along mouth roof, away from the tongue.
- Once clear of tongue, continue pushing posteriorly, following palate curve into pharynx. If tongue cannot be cleared or resistance is encountered, gently rotate left and right to continue progress.
- Gently apply sufficient force to seat tip of device in oesophagus until no further progress can be made.
- Ensure no airway reflex is triggered by placement.
- Attach BVM resuscitator. Ventilate patient appropriately.
- Once confident of LMA placement and effectiveness, by observing chest rise and fall
Secure in place, using adhesive tape attached to face and device or cloth tape tied off. Maintain LMA midline in the mouth, with incisors on the integral bite block. - When convenient, insert appropriate size of duodenal tube through gastric port (if device has one) into stomach. This may require slight initial lubrication applied to the port first. Withdraw air/gastric content using 50/60 mL catheter tip syringe.
Triple airway manoeuvres
indications
Pt requires airway management
Triple airway manoeuvres
contraindications
none
Triple airway manoeuvres
how to do
- Assess for suspected spinal injury
- head tilt: place hands on either side of the patient’s head and gently tilt it back
- Jaw thrust: with fingers placed behind the mandibular angle and thumbs on the chin, lift the jaw upwards. maintain this position
- Open mouth: use both thumbs to open the mouth and visualise the oropharynx (looking for obstruction)
- avoid pressure on the sub-mandibular soft tissues as this may contribute to airway obstruction
Suction
indications
suspected fluid observation in the airway or airway device
Suction
contraindications
none
Suction
precautions
- epiglottitis - extreme caution (stimulation of the epiglottic may precipitate complete airway obstruction)
- croup (may require suction if swelling and distress is worsened)
Suction
how to do
- Don gloves, respiratory mask, eyewear.
- Position head in sniffing position.
- Lay out Magill’s forceps. Attach Yankauer sucker to the suction tubing. Ensure all suction system components attached, including collection bottle. (If available, fill a cup/container with water. Test suction function by dipping tip into water and occluding top hole.)
- Insert laryngoscope until tip is located in vallecular. Identify glottis or FBAO.
- Grasp Yankauer sucker in right hand. Depending on preference, hold device so either thumb or index finger can cover top hole. Progress the sucker inwards along length of laryngoscope blade until it reaches the fluid.
- When sucker tip is in position, cover top hole to commence suction. Sweep laryngoscope tip left and right, with sucker tip following, until pharynx is clear and glottis visible. Attempt should take <10 seconds.
- Either discard and replace the used sucker or place it into clean, isolated container. If further suction is necessary, repeat the process. If fluid occludes suction hose, dip sucker tip into clean water briefly, under suction, to clear it.
- Visualise airway clarity before exiting.
- Provide oxygenation/assisted ventilation as necessary.
CPAP
Contraindications
- Inability to manage own airway (alter conscious state, active vomiting or excessive secretions)
- upper airway obstruction
- Hypoventilation (patient must have adequate spontaneous respirations)
- untreated tension pneumothorax (must be treated before considering CPAP)
- Haemodynamic instability (severe hypotension, ventricular arrhythmias - should all be treated before considering)
- Injuries that preclude mask application
CPAP
precautions
- hypovolemia
- post chest decompression (closely monitor)
- COPD (monitor for deterioration)
- Hypotension
CPAP
Indications for it to be removed
- Cardiac/respiratory arrest
- Pt agitation/intolerance
- No improvements after 1hr
- HR <50
- SBP <90
- GCS <13
- Decreasing SpO2
- Loss of airway control
- Copious secretion
- Active vomiting
- Paramedic judgement of Pt deterioration
CPAP
How to do
- Wears appropriate personal protection, including eyewear and respiratory mask
- Acknowledges therapy can be fitted from beside or behind patient
- Positions patient sitting upright
- Reassure the patient and explain the procedure
- Suctions froth or fluid from the airway if necessary before applying mask and beginning therapy.
- Connect CPAP mask to filter and then to CPAP valve/oxygen tubing - including PEEP valve if included
- Attached CPAP mask to oxygen source and set flow to 10L/min (Inspects device for correct functioning for use)
- Place mask against patient’s face (Holds face mask over patient’s nose and mouth, positioning it to gain an effective seal. If necessary, fits mask against one cheek first, then over bridge of nose, then onto other cheek) - constant encouragement and reassurance
- Allows the patient to become accustomed to mask. Provides reassurance and explanation.
- Apply and adjust the head harness (applies head harness evenly to maintain effective seal)
- Adjust oxygen flow meter to ensures airflow is constant and desired pressure (10cm of H2O) reading is attained - a flow rate of 12-14 L/min will typically be required (DO NOT exceed 10cm H2O of pressure
- Reassesses patient continuously to monitor effectiveness of therapy, including consciousness and pulse oximetry.
- If patient’s condition deteriorates due to respiratory failure or life-threatening complications, removes therapy and responds appropriately.
Valsalva Manoeuvre
Indications
- atrioventricular re-entry tachycardia (AVRT)
- AV node re-entry tachycardia (AVNRT)