Assessing and managing a patient's airway

Question 1

What are the four T’s?

Answer 1

Tongue, Teeth, Tissue, Trauma

Question 2

What are we checking for when assessing an airway?

Answer 2

Look for obstructions
Listen for noisy airflow
Feel for airway movement
(Consider c-spine injury at all times)

Question 3

What is the stepwise approach to managing an airway?

Answer 3

Starting simple and progressing up the ladder (jumping a stages if necessary):
Position
Suction
Jaw thrust
Chin lift
NPA (Nasopharyngeal)
OPA (Oropharyngeal)

Question 4

If suction is required it should only be done in short periods of no longer than what?

Answer 4

10 seconds

Question 5

How should suction be carried out?

Answer 5

Only on the outward motion

Question 6

When would be the appropriate time to use the jaw thrust technique?

Answer 6

Where there is a risk of back or neck injury

Question 7

What the the two sizes of NPA’s?

Answer 7

6mm (usually for females)
7mm (usually for males)

Question 8

What side of the nostril is is ideally used for the NPA?

Answer 8

Right

Question 9

How is the NPA inserted?

Answer 9

Lubricate the tip
With the bevel side towards the septum and with a slight twisting action until the flange is is flush with the nostril.

Question 10

When would a NPA be used?

Answer 10

On patients that are not fully unconscious

Question 11

When would an OPA be used?

Answer 11

On unconscious, unresponsive patients with no gag reflex

Question 12

How is an OPA measured?

Answer 12

It is measured from the incisor teeth to the angle of the jaw

Question 13

How is the OPA inserted?

Answer 13

Inserted in the patient’s mouth upside down and rotated 180 degrees until the flange comes to rest on the patient’s lips