Airway Obstruction

If a patient is deprived of oxygen for 4-6 minutes, what is likely to occur?

If a patient is deprived of oxygen for 4 to 6 minutes, irreversible brain damage can occur and the patient will ultimately die.

If an airway obstruction should occur with your patient, what is the 1st thing you should do?

If an airway obstruction should happen with your patient, the first thing you should do is call a "Code Blue" for an instructor.

If your patient has an airway obstruction but they can still cough, would you try to do the Heimlech Procedure on them?

If the patient has an airway obstruction but they can still cough you would not perform the Heimlich procedure on them.

If your patient has an emergency, where should you remain until the emergency situation is completely resolved?

If your patient has an emergency, you should stay by their side until EMS has arrived to help them.

If your patient loses consciousness while you are doing the Heimlech Procedure, what should you do first?

If your patient loses consciousness while performing the Heimlich procedure, the first thing you should do is call 911.

How can you distinguish between a Partial Airway Obstruction and a Complete Airway Obstruction?

The flap of tissue that prevents foreign objects from entering into the larynx is called the epiglottis

What is the number one thing that you can do to prevent an emergency?

The number one thing to prevent an emergency is to take a good medical history.

What are the symptoms of a Complete Airway Obstruction?

The symptoms of a Complete Airway Obstruction are: Patient is unable to speak, cough forcibly, or breathe adequately; patient becomes pale, patient becomes cyanotic around the mouth and fingertips, patient usually clutches the throat, patient quickly loses consciousness.

Where do you place your fist when doing the Heimlech Procedure on a non-pregnant patient who is conscious?

When doing the Heimlich procedure, you place your fist halfway between the navel and Xiphoid Process of the sternum. When performing the Heimlich procedure on a pregnant patient, you will place your fist against the patient's sternum (just above the Xiphoid Process).

Describe the Heimlech Procedure for a conscious non-pregnant patient.

When providing the Heimlich procedure for a conscious non-pregnant patient you will follow this procedure: Stand behind the patient, wrap your arms around the patient, make a fist with one of your hands, place thumb of the fist against the patient's abdomen halfway between the navel and the Xiphoid Process of the sternum, cover the fist with other hand, push the fist quickly into the abdomen with an inward and upward motion, repeating as necessary, until the object is dislodged or until the patient becomes unconscious.

Describe the procedure for treating a conscious pregnant patient who has a complete airway obstruction.

When providing the Heimlich procedure for a conscious pregnant patient you will follow this procedure: Stand behind the patient, wrap your arms around the patient, make a fist with one hand, place the thumb against the patient's sternum (just above the Xiphoid Process), place the other hand over the fist, administer chest thrusts as long as the patient remains conscious.

Describe the procedure for treating an unconscious non-pregnant patient who has a complete airway obstruction.

When providing the Heimlich procedure for an unconscious non-pregnant patient you will follow this procedure: call 911, lay the patient on their back, give 30 chest compressions (2" deep), visually check the mouth and remove any dislodge object if present, do head tilt-chin lift followed by two breathes, repeat above steps until EMS arrives or the patient is OK.

Describe the procedure for treating an unconscious pregnant patient who has a complete airway obstruction.

When providing the Heimlich procedure for an unconscious pregnant patient you will follow this procedure: Call 911, place patient in the supine position, give 30 chest compressions (2" deep), visually check mouth and remove any dislodged object if present, do head tilt-chin lift followed by two breathes, repeat above steps until EMS arrives or the patient is OK.

What 4 things should you send a nearby classmate for in the event of an airway obstruction?

When sending a nearby classmate in the event of an airway obstruction you should instruct them to get: The Emergency kit, AED, Oxygen, and Emergency Clipboard.

Can a patient lose consciousness as a result of an airway obstruction?

Yes, a patient can lose consciousness due to an airway obstruction.

What is the flap of the tissue that prevents foreign objects from entering into the larynx?

You can distinguish the difference between a Partial Airway Obstruction and a Complete Airway Obstruction by how the patient reacts. When a patient has a Partial Airway Obstruction he or she will usually be able to cough forcibly, speak, and breathe. When a patient has a Complete Airway Obstruction he or she will not be able to speak, cough forcibly, or adequately breathe, the patient will often clutch their throat in pain as a sign.

Do we do finger sweeps on conscious patients who are treating for airway obstructions?

You never do a finger sweep when treating for an airway obstruction when conscious.

Where should you document everything that occurs during an emergency?

You should document everything that happens in an emergency in patient's Record of Treatment and on the Medical Emergency Form.