Airway obstruction

An airway obstruction is a blockage in any part of the airway.
The airway is a complex system of tubes that conveys inhaled air from nose and mouth into the lungs.
An obstruction may partially or totally prevent air from getting into lungs.
Acute upper airway obstruction is a life-threatening medical emergency.

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2. PREPARED BY: RN Arpana Bhusal BNS 9/14/2022

3. CONTENT LAYOUT Introduction Types Causes Sign and symptoms Assessment and diagnostic findings Management References 9/14/2022 3

4. INTRODUCTION An airway obstruction is a blockage in any part of the airway. The airway is a complex system of tubes that conveys inhaled air from nose and mouth into the lungs. An obstruction may partially or totally prevent air from getting into lungs. Acute upper airway obstruction is a life-threatening medical emergency. 9/14/2022 4

5. CONTD.. If the airway is completely obstructed, permanent brain damage or death will occur within 3 to 5 minutes secondary to hypoxia. Partial obstruction of the airway can lead to progressive hypoxia, hypercarbia, and respiratory and cardiac arrest. 9/14/2022 5

6. TYPES OF AIRWAY OBSTRUCTION 9/14/2022 6

7. CAUSES OF OBSTRUCTION 9/14/2022 7 Upper airway obstruction Foreign objects(candy, nuts, grapes, balloon, coin - in children. Meat, fish, sausage, fruits, vegetables- in adults.) Anaphylaxis ( peanuts, tree nuts, insect venom, seeds, medicines ) Burns Infections ( epiglottitis, bacterial tracheitis, diphtheria, retropharyngeal abscess, peritonsillar abscess)

8. CAUSES OF OBSTRUCTION CONTD.. Lower airways obstruction Asthma Bronchitis COPD 9/14/2022 8

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10. SIGN AND SYMPTOMS Violent cough Difficulty in breathing Choking, Gasping for air Panic Gagging and vomiting Cyanosis Confusion High pitched breathing such as wheezing, stridor. unconsciousness 9/14/2022 10

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12. ASSESSMENT AND DIAGNOSTIC FINDINGS Assessment of the patient who has a foreign object occluding the airway may involve simply asking the person whether he or she is choking and requires help. If the person is unconscious, inspection of the oropharynx may reveal the offending object. X-rays, laryngoscopy, or bronchoscopy also may be performed. 9/14/2022 12

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14. MANAGEMENT Brain storming season 9/14/2022 14

15. EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT OF AIRWAY OBSTRUCTION DUE TO FOREIGN BODIES Calm and reassure the patient and encourage to cough. If this is not successful, then give sharp 5 back blows. Check the mouth and remove any obstruction. If back blow is unsuccessful, then give five abdominal thrust( Heimlich maneuver). If this is also unsuccessful, then repeat 5 back blow and 5 abdominal thrust. Three cycle should be done. 9/14/2022 15

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17. Back blows For patient lying (unconscious): Position patient on the back. Kneel astride the patient’s thighs, facing the head. Place the heel of one hand against the patient’s abdomen, in the midline slightly above the umbilicus and well below the tip of the xiphoid; place the second hand directly on top of the first. Press into the abdomen with a quick upward thrust. 9/14/2022 17

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19. Chest thrust with patient lying (unconscious) Place the patient on the back and kneel close to the side of the patient’s body. Place the heel of your hand on the lower half of the sternum. Deliver each chest thrust slowly and distinctly with the intent of relieving the obstruction. 9/14/2022 19

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26. MANAGEMENT CONTD… Establishing an airway may be as simple as repositioning the patient’s head to prevent the tongue from obstructing the pharynx. Alternatively, other maneuvers, such as the head-tilt–chin-lift maneuver, the jaw-thrust maneuver, or insertion of specialized equipment may be needed to open the airway, remove a foreign body, or maintain the airway. In all maneuvers, the cervical spine must be protected from injury. 9/14/2022 26

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31. REFERENCES Brunner and Siddhartha's (2004), ‘medical and surgical nursing,” 7 th edition, J.B Lippincott co, Philadelphia, page no:2151-2153 2019. Mayo Foundation of Medical Foundation and Research . Airway obstruction . https://www.mayoclinic.org@2021/07/07 at 2pm. October 22, 2018. Airway obstruction. https://www.slideshare.net@ 2021/07/07 at 2pm. https://www.webmd.com/lung/what-to-know-about-airway-obstruction @2021/07/07 at 1pm. 9/14/2022 31

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