Questions and Answers
What is a patent airway?
An airway that is open and clear and will remain open and clear, without interference to the passage of air into and out of the body.
What is the point of division between the upper airway and the lower airway called?
The laryngopharynx.
What are some obstructions that can interfere with air flow?
Foreign bodies like food and small toys, fluids including blood and vomit, and failure of muscle tone.
What is bronchoconstriction?
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What is a clear indicator if the patient is getting some air?
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What is stridor?
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What are some signs of an inadequate airway?
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What position should a patient be in?
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What is the head-lift, chin-lift maneuver?
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What is the most effective way to clear the patient's airway?
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What are the 2 most common airway adjuncts?
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Where are OPAs put?
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Where are NPAs put?
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What are some rules for airway adjuncts?
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What is the needed step before operating a suction unit?
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What are the 3 rules to suctioning?
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What is a cause of prolonged suctioning?
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What to do before suctioning?
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When is suctioning best delivered?
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When not to suction?
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What can be used to ensure an open airway to the level of the lungs?
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What is suctioning?
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What types of suctioning devices are there?
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What are the conditions for mounted suction systems to be effective?
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What is a rule for tubing related to suctioning?
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What is one of the special considerations for suctioning?
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What is mentioned about obstructions during suctioning?
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Study Notes
Airway Management
- A patent airway is open, clear, and will remain unobstructed, allowing air to flow freely.
- The laryngopharynx marks the division between the upper and lower airways.
- Common airway obstructions include foreign bodies (food, small toys), fluids (blood, vomit), and loss of muscle tone (tongue falling back).
Bronchoconstriction and Indicators
- Bronchoconstriction refers to the contraction of bronchial smooth muscles, reducing airflow and increasing resistance.
- A patient can indicate they're receiving air by being able to respond with a simple "hello."
Signs of Inadequate Airway
- Absence of breathing signs.
- Presence of foreign objects in the airway.
- No airflow detectable at nostrils or mouth.
- Inability to speak, hoarse voice, or nasal flaring.
Patient Positioning
- Patients should be placed in a supine position, ensuring the head and neck are protected during any position changes.
Airway Maneuvers
- The head-lift, chin-lift maneuver corrects airway blockage by tilting the head and lifting the chin, used when no trauma is suspected.
- The jaw thrust maneuver moves the jaw forward without head tilt, ideal for patients with suspected trauma.
Airway Clearance Techniques
- The most effective method for airway clearance is using a Yankauer suction device.
- Two common airway adjuncts are the oropharyngeal airway (OPA) and nasopharyngeal airway (NPA), with OPAs inserted in the mouth and NPAs in the nose.
Guidelines for Airway Adjuncts
- OPAs can only be used on patients without a gag reflex.
- Always have suction ready before inserting adjuncts, and if a gag reflex occurs, remove the adjunct.
- Personal protective equipment (mask, goggles, gloves) should be worn.
OPA and NPA Insertion Steps
- For OPA:
- Open the airway.
- Measure from the corner of the mouth to the earlobe.
- Use the crossed fingers technique to open the mouth.
- Insert with the tip facing the roof of the mouth and rotate 180 degrees.
- For NPA:
- Measure from nostril to earlobe.
- Apply lubricant before insertion.
- If resistance is felt, try the other nostril.
Endotracheal Tubes and Suctioning
- An endotracheal tube can provide an open airway down to the lungs.
- Suctioning is performed to clear the airway of blood, vomitus, and foreign materials using vacuum devices.
Suctioning Equipment and Techniques
- Suctioning devices consist of mounted systems, portable units, tubing, tips, and catheters, which must provide a vacuum of at least 300 mmHg and an air intake of 30 L/min.
- Before suctioning, have tubing, suction tips, catheters, collection containers, and sterile water available.
Suctioning Guidelines
- Follow infection control practices during suction.
- Limit suction time to no longer than 10 seconds to prevent hypoxia.
- Place the suction tip at the desired site and suction on the way out.
- Avoid suctioning if the patient is gagging or has attached tissues.
Special Considerations
- Be aware of facial injuries, obstructions, and dental appliances when managing an airway.
- Manual removal may be necessary for solid obstructions, as suctioning is ineffective.
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Description
Test your knowledge with these flashcards covering key terminology related to airway management in Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Chapter 8. Important terms like patent airway and obstructions are explored to enhance your understanding and retention of critical concepts in emergency care.