Presented by Akram Babkir
SHO
Emergency medicine Team
Sligo Regional Hospital
Look, listen, and feel for diminished or absent air movement.
- Observe the pt level of consciousness and determine if apnea is present.
- Identify injury to the airway or other conditions like cervical spine injury that will affect assessment and manipulation of the airway
- Observe chest expansion.
- Observe for suprasternal , supraclavicular , or intercostal retractions, laryngeal displacement toward the chest during inspiration(tracheal tug ) or nasal flaring. These often represent respiratory distress with or without airway obstruction.
Manual methods to establish an airway
- Slight neck extension
- Elevation of the mandible ( jaw thrust maneuver).
- Opening of the mouth
Be aware of cervical spine injury
Adjuncts
Oropharyngeal airway
Nasopharyngeal airway
