Instruments for finals Flashcards
(158 cards)
What is this?
Nasopharyngeal airway
What is this used for?
Can be used in pts with reduced level of consciousness where there is a reduced gag reflex. NPAs work well when pt is clenching their jaw, as oral airways become difficult to insert.
What are the contraindications for this?
- Facial fractures
- Active epistaxis
How do you use this?
- Select appropriate size (7.0mm for adult male, 6.0mm for adult female approximately)
- Right nostril is sometimes larger and therefore easier to insert into
- Safety pin through the flange end prevents displacement
- Lubricate airway with water/water-soluble lubricant
- Insert into one nostril, advance posteriorly aiming at tragus of ear
- Never force. Should slide in easily.
What is this?
Oropharyngeal airway (Guedel airway)
Colours relate to sizes
Deflects tongue
What is this used for and where (in the hospital) would you see it?
Used to provide an airway for a pt when there is an impaired level of consciousness
Found in ED/ITU/wards by recovery, in surgery when pt waking/falling asleep
What are the complications of using this?
- Too big -> laryngospasm
- Too small -> catches tongue
- Damage to teeth/gums/palate
- Coughing/vomiting/aspiration if not unconscious (gag reflex)
- Not adequately positioned so airway not patent
- Doesn’t improve pt’s own respiratory drive
What is this?
Laryngoscope
Device that allows inspection of the larynx & vocal cords
Used in conjunction with ET tube for intubation, held in L hand usually
Enables direct laryngoscopy (direct visualisation of larynx), compared to camera (indirect laryngoscopy) e.g. videolaryngoscope
What are the types of this?
How is it sized?
2 varieties
- Straight blades e.g. ‘Miller blades’ - positioned posterior to epiglottis thereby ‘trapping’ it - preferred in infants
- Curved blades e.g. ‘Mac(intosh) blades’ - positioned anterior to epiglottis lifting it out of the way
Sizing
4 = Large adult
3 = Small adult
2 = Paediatric
1 = Infant
0 = Neonate
What are the complications of using this?
- Trauma to soft tissues including larynx/pharynx
- Risk of scarring/ulceration
- Tooth damage
What is this?
Adult endotracheal tube
= E.g. of definitive airway (i.e. below vocal cords + balloon to prevent aspiration) & can be used for long operations e.g. laparotomies, during cardiac arrest, or for critical care pts
How do you use this?
- The size of ETT used depends on the patient’s body size. They come in a range of sizes from 2 to 10.5mm internal diameter.
- Inserted using a laryngoscope through the vocal cords, usually using the right hand in a right-to-left direction towards the larynx, the tip’s bevel is left-facing to make the pass through vocal cords easier.
- Can use a introducer/bougie/Eschmann introducer as a guide device for the ETT.
- The end of the tube should lie just above the carina to allow ventilation of both lungs. (Markings along the tube to indicate distance from tip)
- The Murphy eye allows ventilation in the event of obstruction of the end of the tube.
- After inserting the tube a balloon at the end of the tube is inflated with air through the blue side port - protects airway
- Tube is then tied into place
How do you confirm this is placed correctly?
- Symmetrical rising of chest on ventilation
- Bilateral breath sounds
- No gurgling over epigastrium indication oesophageal intubation
- Radio-opaque line for X-ray detection
What are the complications of using this?
- Sore throat
- Bronchospasm
- Trachea/oesophagus perforation
- Vocal cord weakness
What is this? What are the indications for using it?
Carlens double-lumen ET tube
Indications:
- Thoracic surgical operations e.g. video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) lobectomy
- Separating 1 lung from another to avoid spillage of contents (blood/pus) to unaffected side
What is this?
Laryngeal mask airway (LMA) - supraglottic airway
Newer version = iGel - now also used in cardiac arrests. Also has hole for suction
When is this used?
Used in day case surgery
Newer version = iGel - now also used in cardiac arrests. Also has hole for suction
Where should this be placed and how do you check for placement?
Placed above larynx
Check for placement:
- Know that it is sealed - can hear air leak if not fitted properly
- Chest expansion
- End-tidal CO2
What is this?
Feeding nasogastric tube
NOT Ryles tube (used for ‘drip & suck’)
What is this used for?
Used for long-term enteral nutrition in pts. Designed with thin bore & soft structure to make it more comfortable for pts. Made of silastic which blocks less often
What are some contraindications/cautions when using this?
- Do not insert if suspect facial fracture
- Check with seniors if recent GI surgery as not good practice to push through fresh anastomosis
How do you use this?
- Wash hands and wear PPE
- Explain procedure and consent the patient
- Take a new, cool (hence less flexible) tube. Have a cup of water to hand.
- Lubricate well with aqueous gel.
- Ask patient if they have a preference for which nostril, right is supposedly easier than left. Place lubricated tube in nostril with natural curve facing down.
- Advance tube directly backwards, not upwards.
- When tip is estimated to be in throat, rotate tube by 180 degrees to discourage passage into mouth.
- Ask patient to swallow water and time advancement of the tube with each swallow.
Stomach is at approximately 35-40cm, so add about 10-20cm beyond that distance. - Tape securely to nose.
How to wean from this?
- Aim for <750mL/24hrs for successful weaning
- First, put on free drainage e.g. 4hrly aspirations
- Then, spigot (insert bung) with 4hrly aspirations
- Then, spigot only. If tolerated with oral intake, then probably safe to remove. If not, take a step backwards
How to conform position of this?
- Test aspirate on pH paper - <5.5 (PPIs may increase this)
- Radiologically, check for radio-opaque line/tip - CXR
*Feeding into misplaced tube = never event