AIRWAY MANAGEMENT

Upper Airway

Lower Airway (Mechanics of Respiration)

Airway Management Assess for Airway Obstruction! Difficulty breathing Patient conduct (anxious, combative) Abnormal sounds Improve/Establish Airway Through Maneuvers Chin lift Jaw thrust Remove Debris/Suction Airway Adjuncts: Nasal airway (Primary) Oral airway

Airway Obstruction The most common obstruction is from a prolapsed tongue! Why?

Airway Obstruction Blood Clots, Teeth Soft Tissue & Bones Swelling Position of Head Head Injury

Improve/Establish Airway Chin Lift Method (NON-TRAUMA)

Improve/Establish Airway Jaw Thrust Method

Remove Debris and Suction

Nasopharyngeal Airway

Nasopharyngeal Airway Lubricate ! Insert along floor of nasal cavity If resistance met, use back-and forth motion Don’t Force – Use other nostril If patient gags, withdraw slightly

Oral Pharyngeal Airway

Oral Pharyngeal Airway Measure Confirm patient is unconscious Insert, rotate 180 degrees as inserting

Questions?