Airway Management & Emergency Response Flashcards

What is the first step in airway management?

Answer: Assess airway

Assessing airway patency and breathing.

Which device is used for difficult airway management?

Answer: Video laryngoscope

A video laryngoscope improves visualization of the vocal cords.

What emergency response is critical during airway obstruction?

Answer: Clear airway

Immediate airway clearance and oxygenation.

How is cricothyrotomy performed?

Answer: Emergency incision

An emergency incision in the cricothyroid membrane to secure airway.

What is the purpose of bag-valve-mask ventilation?

Answer: Manual ventilation

To provide positive pressure ventilation manually.

Why is rapid sequence intubation used?

Answer: Rapid airway control

To quickly secure airway minimizing aspiration risk.

What is an important consideration during pediatric airway management?

Answer: Smaller airways

Children have smaller, more delicate airways.

How should an anesthetist respond to anaphylaxis during surgery?

Answer: Epinephrine and airway support

Anaphylaxis is a severe, life-threatening allergic reaction requiring immediate intervention. Epinephrine is the first-line treatment as it rapidly reverses the systemic effects like bronchoconstriction and vasodilation. Simultaneously, securing the airway ensures adequate oxygenation and ventilation, which are critical for patient survival during such an emergency.

What does capnography measure during anesthesia?

Answer: Exhaled CO2

Capnography is a vital monitoring tool in anesthesia that continuously measures the concentration of carbon dioxide (CO2) in exhaled breath. This provides real-time information about a patient's ventilation, pulmonary perfusion, and metabolic status. It helps anesthetists confirm endotracheal tube placement, assess the effectiveness of ventilation, and detect changes in CO2 production or elimination.