This site is intended for healthcare professionals

Go to /sign-in page

You can view 5 more pages before signing in

Protecting and improving the airway

Last reviewed dd mmm yyyy. Last edited dd mmm yyyy

Authoring team

Protection of the airway can involve:

  • insertion of an airway if appropriate. Choice airway depends on the level of consciousness of the patient:
    • patient with signs of airway obstruction but relatively conscious, try a nasopharangeal airway
    • patient with signs of airway obstruction and impaired level of consciousness, try an oropharangeal airway
    • unconscious and unable to protect their airway, needs a definitive airway ie. intubation and insertion of endotracheal tube
  • for improving and protecting the airway:
    • if the airway is poor, for example if laryngeal swelling has occurred, i.e. due to smoke inhalation, then the decision to intubate may be made
    • intubation may similarly be performed early if laryngeal oedema appears likely to develop
    • attempts at intubation should be made for as long as the clinician can hold his or her own breath

Notes:

  • people need to be less conscious to tolerate an oropharangeal airway; but if cannot tolerate an oropharangeal airway, may tolerate a nasopharangeal airway

Create an account to add page annotations

Add information to this page that would be handy to have on hand during a consultation, such as a web address or phone number. This information will always be displayed when you visit this page

The content herein is provided for informational purposes and does not replace the need to apply professional clinical judgement when diagnosing or treating any medical condition. A licensed medical practitioner should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions.

Connect

Copyright 2024 Oxbridge Solutions Limited, a subsidiary of OmniaMed Communications Limited. All rights reserved. Any distribution or duplication of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited. Oxbridge Solutions receives funding from advertising but maintains editorial independence.