Airway Management

Airway

passageway by which air enters and leaves the body. The structures are nose, mouth, pharynx, larynx, trachea, bronchi, and lungs

pharynx

the muscular tube connecting the nose and mouth to the esophagus and larynx, playing a key role in both respiration and digestion.

oropharynx

where the mouth or oral cavity joins to the pharynx

nasopharynx

where the nasal passages empty into the pharynx

laryngopharynx

the structures surrounding the entrance to the trachea

glottic opening

the entry point into the larynx

epiglottis

sits above the glottic opening and is designed to seal off the trachea during swallowing or in response to the gag reflex

carina

where the trachea branches into bronchi

14

number of muscle groups that support and keep open the channel of air

bronchoconstriction

the narrowing of the airways due to the contraction of smooth muscle, often in response to allergens or irritants, leading to difficulty in breathing.

Stridor

a high-pitched wheezing sound caused by disruption of airflow in the upper airway, often indicative of an obstruction.

Hoarseness

refers to a change in voice quality, characterized by a rough, raspy, or strained sound, often resulting from irritation or injury to the vocal cords.

Snoring

soft tissue upper airway creating impedance to the flow of air, and indication that the airway needs assistance to stay open

Gurgling

fluid obstructing the airway, immediate suctioning is necessary

head-tilt, chin-lift maneuver

a technique used to open the airway by tilting the head back and lifting the chin forward, helping to relieve airway obstruction.

jaw-thrust maneuver

a technique used to open the airway by pushing the jaw forward without tilting the head, particularly useful in cases of suspected spinal injury.

oropharyngeal airway

a medical device inserted into the oral cavity to maintain an open airway by preventing the tongue from obstructing the throat. Only used on patient who do not exhibit a gag reflex.

nasopharyngeal airway

a flexible tube inserted through the nose into the pharynx to keep the airway open and facilitate ventilation.

suctioning

the method of using a vacuum device to remove materials from the airway

mounted suction systems

are fixed suction devices connected to a vacuum source, used in medical settings to clear airways of secretions and debris effectively.

portable suction units

are mobile devices that can be used to remove obstructions from the airway in emergency situations, providing suction for effective airway management.

tubing

must be thick walled, non-kinking, wide-bore tubing

suction catheters

are flexible tubes used with suction devices to remove fluids or debris from the airway, ensuring clear passage for breathing.

Ventilation

the process of moving air into and out of the chest

Inhalation

active process of breathing, muscles all engage to create negative pressure

Exhalation

passive process, the muscles relax pushing the air out

tidal volume

the amount of air moved in one breath

minute volume

the total amount of air breathed in one minute, calculated as tidal volume multiplied by respiratory rate.

dead air space

the volume of air in the respiratory system that does not participate in gas exchange. It includes the trachea and bronchi. Does not reach the alveoli

alveolar ventilation

refers to how much air actually reaches the alveoli

Pressure Regulators

devices that control the pressure of gases delivered to patients during ventilation, ensuring safe and effective airflow.

diffusion

the movement of gasses from an area of high concentration to an area of low concentration

pulmonary respiration

the diffusion of oxygen and carbon dioxide that takes place between the alveoli and circulating blood

cellular respiration

the diffusion of oxygen and carbon dioxide that takes place between the cells and circulation blood

a patient stabbed in the chest

the diaphragm is moved down as air moves in through the opening of the chest, and negative pressure cannot be created to pull air into the lungs through the normal channels

a patient loses nervous control of respiration

cannot transmit messages through nerve tissue to innervate the muscles of respiration

Inadequate Breathing

patient is breathing, but oxygenation and ventilation are insufficient to support life, assisted ventilations (air forced into the lungs under pressure) are necessary

Respiratory arrest

no breathing, artificial ventilation with pocket face mask at 10-12/minute

adequate breathing

oxygenation and ventilation are sufficient to meet metabolic demands. consider a supplemental oxygen (nonrebreather or nasal cannula)

positive pressure ventilation

use of positive pressure to force air or oxygen into the lungs when a patient has stopped breathing or has inadequate breathing

Pocket face mask

soft, collapsible material and can be carried in your pocket or bag. Has a one-way valve that allow your ventilations to enter but prevent the patients exhaled air from coming back through into contact with you

bag valve mask

handheld ventilation device with a self-expanding bag and a unidirectional valve, used to provide positive pressure ventilation to patients who are not breathing adequately.

Automatic Transport Ventilator

A portable mechanical ventilator designed for use during patient transport, providing positive pressure ventilation automatically based on preset parameters.

D cylinder

350 liters of oxygen

E cylinder

625 liters of oxygen

M cylinder

3,000 liters of oxygen

Flowmeter

A device used to measure and regulate the flow of gas, typically in liters per minute, during airway management.

humidifier

can be connected to the flowmeter to provide moisture to the dry oxygen coming from the supply cylinder

nonrebreather mask

A type of oxygen mask that allows for high concentrations of oxygen delivery to patients while preventing rebreathing of exhaled air. It features a one-way valve to keep exhaled carbon dioxide from mixing with the incoming oxygen.

nasal cannula

A lightweight device consisting of two prongs that fit into the nostrils, used to deliver supplemental oxygen to patients while allowing for free movement and talking.

CPAP

Continuous positive airway pressure