Chapter 9 Airway management

Question 1

Airway Physiology

3 parts of pharynx

Answer 1

• oropharynx-where oral cavity joins the pharynx
• nasopharynx-where nasal passages empty into pharynx
• laryngopharynx- structure surrounding the trachea

Question 2

Vocal cords

Answer 2

curtain like fibers that line the sides of tracheal opening.

-can close shut for protection, and can vibrate to create voice

Question 3

thyroid cartilage

Answer 3

shield like, and protects the front of larynx, creating the adams apple

Question 4

lower airway

Answer 4

begins below the larynx, and is composed of-

• trachea
• bronchial passages (tubes)
• aveoli

Question 5

cricoid ring

Answer 5

the top ring of the 16 cartilage rings.

• is a complete ring (360) arround the trachea
• the rest of the 15 are only C shaped

-also connected posteriorly by smooth muscle

Question 6

carina

Answer 6

where the trachea branches off to the two mainstream bronchi

Question 7

All air passages are supported by______?

and lined with______?

Answer 7

• Supported by cartilage

- lined with smooth muscle (able to change their internal diameter in response to a specific stimulation)

Question 8

bronchoconstriction (or bronchospasm)

Answer 8

when the lower airway smooth muscle constrict restricting airflow

Question 9

strider

Answer 9

high pitched sound generated from partially obstructed airflow in the upper airway

Question 10

intact muscle tone

Answer 10

control of the muscles that form that airway

-altered mental status and neurologic disorders can result in a loss of this muscle tone and the collapse of the airway

Question 11

common obstruction in a person with decreased muscle tone is ______?

Answer 11

the tongue, or the epiglottis connected to the tongue.

Question 12

airway obstruction

Answer 12

can occur acutely or over time

• burns or blunt force trauma
• certain infections

can cause swelling of the tissues in and around the glottic opening

Question 13

signs of an inadequate airway

Answer 13

• no signs of breathing or airway
• evidence of foreign bodies in the airway (blood, vomit, or objects like broken teeth
• difficulty speaking
• noises such as strider are heard during breathing
• retractions
• nasal flaring

Question 14

head tilt, chin lift maneuver

Answer 14

• patient is supine
• tilt head by applying gentle pressure to forehead
• use finger tips to lift chin and support the lower jaw.

Question 15

jaw thrust maneuver

Answer 15

used when c spine injury is suspected

Question 16

airway adjuncts

Answer 16

devices that aid in maintaining an open airway, and continually used to help keep an airway open.

• only used on patients who do not have gag reflex
• if gag reflex is present then nasopharynx can be used

Question 17

rules for using airway adjuncts

Answer 17

• open airway manually before using an adjunct device
• anytime airway adjunct is used, the maneuver must be maintained and monitored
• if an oversized adjust is used then there is a chance that air will be allowed to flow into the esophagus

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Question 18

nasopharyngeal

Answer 18

• designed to be used in the right nostril
• should point to the base of the nostril or septum
• do not use nasopharyngeal if cerebrospinal fluid is coming from nose or ears (clear fluid)

Question 19

oropharyngeal

Answer 19

adults install with tip facing upward then rotating downward

children and infants tip faces downward reflecting the curvature of the airway