Airway Management and Intubation Practice Flashcards

A comprehensive set of vocabulary cards covering airway adjuncts, intubation drugs (RSI), endotracheal tube anatomy, and airway management tools discussed in the lecture.

Oropharyngeal Airway (OPA)

An airway adjunct used to displace the tongue and keep it out of the way to maintain an open airway; it is measured from the corner of the patient's mouth to the tip of the earlobe.

Tongue

The most common cause of airway obstruction.

Gag Reflex

A reaction triggered by the uvula that prevents the use of an OPA in conscious or semi-conscious patients; if stimulated, the patient may vomit and aspirate.

Nasopharyngeal Airway (NPA)

Also known as a nasal trumpet, this is a soft, flexible tube measured from the nare to the tip of the earlobe and inserted straight back and down into the airway.

Water-based Lube

The specific type of lubricant required for NPA insertion because it is not flammable and can be broken down by the body.

Deviated Septum

An anatomical condition where the bridge in the middle of the nose is off to one side, potentially obstructing the placement of an NPA.

Vascular Sinuses

Areas in the nose that are prone to bleeding (epistaxis), especially during repeated nasotracheal suctioning.

Rapid Sequence Induction (RSI)

A specific sequence of steps for intubation including preparation, preoxygenation, pretreatment, sedation, paralysis, and protection.

Hemoglobin Dissociation Curve

A physiological model illustrating that when $SpO_2$ falls below $90\%$, the $PaO_2$ drops significantly, identifying the point where clinicians must be aggressive with preoxygenation.

PEEP Valve

A device attached to an Ambu bag that allows for positive end-expiratory pressure to force oxygen in and assist in recruitment during manual ventilation.

Propofol

A white, short-acting sedative known as the 'milk of amnesia' that has hypnotic effects but should not be used in patients with egg or soy allergies.

Etomidate

The NBRC gold standard sedative for intubation; it has a very short half-life and almost no contraindications.

Ketamine

A sedative with bronchodilation effects often used for asthmatic patients; it does not cause respiratory depression but can have a synergistic effect with PCP.

Succinylcholine (Sucks)

The gold standard paralytic for intubation with the shortest half-life; it is contraindicated in patients with hyperkalemia (high potassium).

Rocuronium (Rock)

An intermediate-acting paralytic that does not cause a potassium spike, making it a safe alternative for patients with high potassium.

Endotracheal (ET) Tube

An artificial airway available in sizes from $2.0$ to $10.0$ internal diameter (ID); adults typically have the tube secured at $23\,cm$ at the lip.

Radiopaque Line

A white or blue line running the length of an ET tube that shows up on a chest X-ray to verify placement.

Carina

The point where the trachea branches into the lungs; the ET tube should be placed $3-5\,cm$ above this point.

Murphy's Eye

A safety feature consisting of a side hole near the tip of the ET tube that allows for ventilation if the main tip becomes occluded.

Stovepipe Adapter

A universal $15\,mm$ adapter on an ET tube that allows it to connect to any ventilator or Ambu bag.

Pilot Balloon

The external component of the ET tube used to inflate and monitor the internal cuff's integrity.

Cuff Pressure (mmHg)

The pressure within the ET tube cuff which should be maintained between $20-25\,mmHg$ to prevent tracheal tissue death.

Cuff Pressure (cmH2O)

The pressure within the ET tube cuff measured in centimeters of water, which should be between $20-30\,cmH_2O$.

Subglottic Port

A suction port located above the ET tube cuff used to remove oral secretions and drastically reduce Ventilator Associated Pneumonia (VAP) rates.

Macintosh Blade

A curved laryngoscope blade used to indirectly displace the anatomy by being placed in the vallecula.

Miller Blade

A straight laryngoscope blade used to directly lift the epiglottis, often preferred for infants with floppy airways.

Yankauer

A rigid suction tool used specifically to clear secretions, vomit, or blood from the mouth and upper airway.

McGill Forceps

Curved instruments used to remove foreign bodies (like dentures or food) from the airway during intubation.

Stylet

A wire inserted into the ET tube to provide rigidity and allow the clinician to shape the tube (e.g., a 'hockey stick' shape) for easier insertion.

Colorimetric CO2 Detector

A device used for immediate verification of ET tube placement; it turns yellow if $CO_2$ is present (trachea) and remains purple if it is not (esophagus).