Patient emergency airway management
When evaluating a patient for emergency airway management, the first assessment should be of the patency and adequacy of the airway.
Four Key Signs of Upper Airway Obstruction
- Muffled or “Hot Potato” voice
- Inability to swallow secretions, either because of pain or obstruction
- Stridor
- Dyspnea
The first two signs do not necessarily herald imminent total upper airway obstruction;stridor, if new or progressive, usually does, and dyspnea also is a compelling symptom.
Through personal research, evaluate the needs to intubate a patient and the variables that make the process difficult, and the proper assessment tactics that would indicate failure to secure the airway.