(c) Inhalation injury e. May be relieved by aggressive ventilation or a forceful upward pull of the jaw. f. Muscle relaxant medications may be effective in relieving laryngeal spasm. g. Resolution does not mean that laryngospasm will not recur. h. Transport patient to the hospital for evaluation. 7. Laryngeal injury a. Fracture of the larynx increases airway resistance by decreasing airway size due to: i. Decreased muscle tone ii. Laryngeal edema iii. Ventilatory effort b. Penetrating and crush injuries to the larynx can compromise the airway secondary to swelling and bleeding. c. Advanced airway management may be required. 8. Aspiration a. Increases mortality. i. Potentially obstructs the airway ii. Destroys delicate bronchiolar tissue iii. Introduces pathogens into the lungs iv. Decreases the ability to ventilate (or be ventilated) patient’s b. Suction should be readily available for any patient who is unable to maintain his or her own airway. i. Always assume patient has a full stomach. C. Recognition of an airway obstruction 1. Differences in managing mild versus severe airway obstruction are significant. 2. Mild obstruction a. Patient is responsive. b. Able to exchange air but may show varying degrees of respiratory distress c. Will usually have noisy respirations and may be coughing d. Should be left alone i. Forceful cough is the most effective means of dislodging the obstruction. ii. Attempts to manually remove the object could force it farther down into the airway. e. Closely monitor the condition. patient’s f. Be prepared to intervene if you see signs of severe airway obstruction. 3. Severe obstruction a. Patient typically experiences a sudden inability to breathe, talk, or cough. b. May grasp at his or her throat (universal sign of choking) c. May begin to turn cyanotic d. May make frantic, exaggerated attempts to move air e. Has a weak, ineffective, or absent cough f. Is in marked respiratory distress
(c) Inhalation injury e. May be relieved by aggressive ventilation or a forceful upward pull of the jaw. f. Muscle relaxant medications may be effective in relieving laryngeal spasm. g. Resolution does not mean that laryngospasm will not recur. h. Transport patient to the hospital for evaluation. 7. Laryngeal injury a. Fracture of the larynx increases airway resistance by decreasing airway size due to: i. Decreased muscle tone ii. Laryngeal edema iii. Ventilatory effort b. Penetrating and crush injuries to the larynx can compromise the airway secondary to swelling and bleeding. c. Advanced airway management may be required. 8. Aspiration a. Increases mortality. i. Potentially obstructs the airway ii. Destroys delicate bronchiolar tissue iii. Introduces pathogens into the lungs iv. Decreases the patient’s ability to ventilate (or be ventilated) b. Suction should be readily available for any patient who is unable to maintain his or her own airway. i. Always assume patient has a full stomach. C. Recognition of an airway obstruction 1. Differences in managing mild versus severe airway obstruction are significant. 2. Mild obstruction a. Patient is responsive. b. Able to exchange air but may show varying degrees of respiratory distress c. Will usually have noisy respirations and may be coughing d. Should be left alone i. Forceful cough is the most effective means of dislodging the obstruction. ii. Attempts to manually remove the object could force it farther down into the airway. e. Closely monitor the patient’s condition. f. Be prepared to intervene if you see signs of severe airway obstruction. 3. Severe obstruction a. Patient typically experiences a sudden inability to breathe, talk, or cough. b. May grasp at his or her throat (universal sign of choking) c. May begin to turn cyanotic d. May make frantic, exaggerated attempts to move air e. Has a weak, ineffective, or absent cough f. Is in marked respiratory distress