Airway Management & Emergency Preparedness Flashcards

What is the most important initial step in airway management?

Answer: Open the airway

The most important initial step in airway management for any patient, especially one under sedation, is to ensure a patent airway. This involves maneuvers like head-tilt, chin-lift, or jaw thrust to prevent the tongue from obstructing the pharynx. Establishing an open airway is fundamental for effective breathing and oxygenation, preventing hypoxia.

Which maneuver is used to open the airway in an unconscious patient?

Answer: Head-tilt, chin-lift

The head-tilt, chin-lift maneuver is the most common and effective technique used to open the airway in an unconscious patient without suspected cervical spine injury. It involves tilting the head back and lifting the chin forward, which moves the tongue away from the posterior pharynx. This simple maneuver can often relieve airway obstruction caused by the tongue, restoring airflow.

What device is commonly used for short-term oxygen delivery?

Answer: Nasal cannula

A nasal cannula is a common and comfortable device used for short-term oxygen delivery, particularly for patients requiring low-flow supplemental oxygen. It consists of two prongs that fit into the nostrils, delivering oxygen directly into the nasal passages. This allows patients to speak, eat, and drink while receiving oxygen, making it suitable for conscious patients.

What is a sign of airway obstruction during sedation?

Answer: Stridor or snoring

Stridor and snoring are characteristic sounds that indicate partial airway obstruction during sedation. Snoring typically suggests obstruction at the level of the soft palate or tongue, while stridor indicates a more severe obstruction, often in the larynx or trachea. Recognizing these sounds is crucial for prompt intervention to maintain a patent airway and prevent respiratory compromise.

What should be done first if a patient becomes unresponsive?

Answer: Check responsiveness and alert team

If a patient becomes unresponsive during sedation, the immediate first step is to check their responsiveness by gently shaking and shouting at them. Simultaneously, the medical team should be alerted to initiate a rapid assessment and prepare for potential resuscitation. This ensures a quick and coordinated response to a potentially critical situation, prioritizing patient safety.

Which drug reverses opioid-induced respiratory depression?

Answer: Naloxone

Naloxone is an opioid antagonist that specifically reverses the effects of opioid medications by blocking opioid receptors in the brain. This makes it the drug of choice for treating opioid-induced respiratory depression, a life-threatening side effect of opioid overdose or over-sedation. It rapidly restores normal breathing and consciousness by counteracting the central nervous system depressant effects of opioids.

Which of the following is used in anaphylactic emergencies?

Answer: Epinephrine

Epinephrine is the first-line treatment for anaphylaxis due to its rapid and potent vasoconstrictive and bronchodilatory effects. It quickly counteracts the severe symptoms of anaphylaxis, such as airway swelling, bronchospasm, and hypotension, by relaxing airway muscles and constricting blood vessels. Administering epinephrine promptly can be life-saving in these severe allergic reactions.

What is the most reliable method of confirming endotracheal tube placement?

Answer: Capnography

Capnography measures the carbon dioxide levels in exhaled breath, providing real-time, continuous confirmation of proper endotracheal tube (ETT) placement in the trachea. The presence of end-tidal CO2 indicates that the tube is correctly positioned in the airway and not in the esophagus. While other methods like auscultation are used, capnography is considered the most reliable and definitive method for confirming ETT placement.

Which is a key component of emergency preparedness?

Answer: Crash cart with supplies

A crash cart, also known as an emergency cart, is a mobile unit containing essential medications, equipment, and supplies needed for medical emergencies. Having a well-stocked and readily accessible crash cart is a critical component of emergency preparedness in any healthcare setting. It ensures that providers can quickly respond to life-threatening situations and provide immediate, life-saving care.