Emergency Care (Chapter 6) Opening The Airway

Front 1

Airway

Back 1

The passageway by which air enters or leaves the body.

Front 2

Structures of the Airway

Back 2

- Nose
- Mouth
- Pharynx
- Larynx
- Trachea
- Bronchi
- Lungs

Front 3

Positioning the Patient for Airway Treatment

Back 3

- Patient lying in a supine (flat on his back) position

- Airway and breathing have PRIORITY over protection of the spine and must be ensured as quickly as possible. Provide as much manual stabilization as possible if patient has an injury but needs to be moved.

Front 4

Indications that Head, Neck, or Spinal Injury may have occured

Back 4

- Mechanism of Injury: EXAMPLES; motor-vehicle accident, found at bottom of stairs, etc.
- Any injury at or above the level of the shoulders indicated that head, neck, or spine injury may also be present
- Family or bystanders may tell you that an injury to the head, neck, or spine has occured, or they may give you information that leads you to suspect it.

Front 5

Patent Airway

Back 5

An airway (passage from nose or mouth to lungs) that is open and clear and will remain open and clear, without interference to the passage of air into and out of the body.

- Insertion of an oral or nasal airway and suctioning may be required to maintain patent airway.

Front 6

What are the two recommended procedures for opening the airway?

Back 6

1. The Head-Tilt, Chin-Lift Maneuver
2. The Jaw-Thrust Maneuver (recommended when head, neck, or spine injury is suspected)

Front 7

Head-Titl, Chin-Life Maneuver

Back 7

A means of correcting blockage of the airway by the tonge by tilting the head back and lifting the chin.

Only used when NO TRAUMA, OR INJURY, is suspected.

Front 8

Jaw-Thrust Maneuver

Back 8

A means of correcting blockage of the airway by moving the jaw forward without tilting the head or neck.

Used when trauma, or injury, is suspected to open the airway without causing further injury to the spinal cord in the neck .