CWI - Laryngoscopy Flashcards
(6 cards)
What are the indications for Laryngoscopy?
What are the contraindications for Laryngoscopy?
What are the precautions for Laryngoscopy?
What equipment is required for Laryngoscopy?
- Laryngoscope with secure and working light bulb
- Pad/towel
- Suction equipment
Explain the procedure of laryngoscopy
PREPARATION
1. Position patient appropriately → ref to CWI Airway manoevres and positioning
Select appropriately sized blade and attach to handle
1. Placing the proximal aspect of the blade at the upper incisor (front) teeth, the tip of an appropriate size blade should fall within 1cm of the angle of the mandible
1. Place laryngoscope alongside left or patients head
1. Place suction equipment on the right of the patients head
INSERTION
1. Left hand: lightly grip the laryngoscope near the base of the handle
1. Right hand: support and steady the patients head
1. Open mouth → use scissoring with the fingers
1. Insert blade down the right hand side of the mouth
1. Sweep the tongue to the left of the mouth
1. Suction or remove foreign bodies as required
EXPOSING THE VOCAL CORDS
1. Slowly progress down the tongue to visualise the epiglottis
1. Position the tip of the blade into the vallecula
1. Expose the vocal cords by exert a lifting force up and along the axis of the handle, without angulation, to lift the epiglottis
- ** if the vocal cords cannot be seen, partially withdraw blade from over epiglottis and reinsert gently pointing blade tip up towards into tongue to re-seek vallecula
*
What can the steps of laryngoscopy be broken down into?
- Preparation
- Insertion
- Exposing Vocal cords
