Week 2: Airway & Ventilation Flashcards
Is partial or complete airway obstruction life-threatening?
Both
What can causes of obstruction be?
Blood, vomit, foreign bodies, laryngeal spasm, oedema,
Where is the most common site of obstruction in an unconscious patient?
Pharynx
How would you identify a complete airway obstruction?
Silent and no air movement from the patients mouth and nose
What is the Look, Listen and Feel technique?
- Look for chest and abdominal wall movements
- Listen and feel for airflow into the mouth and nose
What are the 4 noisy breathing that can be heard in a partial airway obstruction?
Stridor, expiratory wheeze, gurgling, snoring
In a severe choking situation with an ineffective cough, what should you do if the patients conscious?
5 back blows
5 abdominal thrusts
In a severe choking situation with a ineffective cough, what should you do if the patients unconscious?
Start CPR
What does ACVPU stand for?
- alert
- confusion
- voice
- pain
- unresponsive
How would you inspect the oropharynx?
Check the inside if the mouth using a cross finger technique
How would you clear an airway?
Cross finger technique + Magills forceps or consider the need for suction using suction unit
What are the simple airway manoeuvres?
- Head tilt, Chin lift
- jaw thrust
If a cervical spine injury is suspected what manoeuvres is used?
Jaw thrust
How would you measure an OPA?
Select an airway length corresponding to the vertical distance between the plane of the patient’s incisors and the angle of the jaw
At what age do you not invert the OPA?
Under 8 years old
When should you stop and remove an OPA?
Remove if the patient gags or strains
How would you size an NPA?
Measure from the tip of the nose to the tragus of the ear, and estimate the diameter of the patients nostril to the diameter of the NPA
When should you remove the NPA?
If the patients nose bleeds
When would you not use an NPA?
- patient has a history of nose bleeds
- nasal polyps
- patients who cannot tolerate NPA
- Children under 12 years
In the presence of a known or suspected fracture of the basal skull what airway is preferred?
Oral airway
What are the two types of ventilation?
- Mouth to mask ventilation
- Bag- Valve mask ventilation
How can a BVM ventilation be improved?
Via two person BVM ventilation, as it creates a better seal therefore the lungs are ventilated more effectively
What must you do to the I-Gel before inserting it?
Lubricate the back sides and front, avoiding getting lubricant on the seal of the I-Gel
How do you prevent dislodgement or the I-Gel?
Securing the I-Gel effectively
