Airway

Summary: <br> “Airway” does not necessarily mean “Intubation”<br> <br> <br> <br> Introduction<br> <br> <br> <br> * In emergency medicine we are taught “A-B-Cs”* These are actions that can be accomplished in first 60 seconds of patient encounter* Intubation takes several minutes to accomplish* Intubating a crashing patient might even KILL them!* Resuscitate THEN intubate<br> <br> <br> <br> Step 1: Suction<br> <br> <br> <br> * Immediately suction if patient is…* Altered and vomiting* Gurgling<br> <br> <br> <br> Step 2: Move the Tongue<br> <br> <br> <br> * Bedside maneuvers* Head tilt* Chin lift* Jaw thrust* Adjunct equipment* Oropharyngeal airway* Nasopharyngeal airway<br> <br> <br> <br> Additional Reading<br> <br> <br> <br> * Airway Part 2 – BVM Adjuncts <a href="http://www.emclerkship.com/airway-part-2/">(EM Clerkship)</a>* Airway Part 3 – Rapid Sequence Intubation <a href="http://www.emclerkship.com/airway-part-3/">(EM Clerkship)</a>* Airway Part 4 – What to Do If Intubation Fails <a href="http://www.emclerkship.com/airway-part-4/">(EM Clerkship)</a>* Laryngoscope As A Murder Weapon – Hemodynamic Kills <a href="https://emcrit.org/emcrit/intubation-patient-shock/">(EMCrit)</a><br>