Basic airway management begins with opening and maintaining the airway. The main goal is to prevent the Select one jaw thrust 1 equal chest 8 head tilt chin lift quiet tongue from blocking the airway. For a non-trauma patient a Select one jaw thrust 1 equal chest 8 head tilt chin lift quiet tongue   method is preferred. For a trauma patient the Select one jaw thrust 1 equal chest 8 head tilt chin lift quiet tongue with spinal neutralization method is used.  If you have to pick between airway and spine always pick airway first.

Evaluating the airway is always a top priority. Normal respirations should be Select one jaw thrust 1 equal chest 8 head tilt chin lift quiet tongue , effortless, and with Select one jaw thrust 1 equal chest 8 head tilt chin lift quiet tongue rise. Ventilatory assistance is required if the patient is breathing less than Select one jaw thrust 1 equal chest 8 head tilt chin lift quiet tongue times per minute. A non-breathing patient should receive two slow and smooth breaths lasting Select one jaw thrust 1 equal chest 8 head tilt chin lift quiet tongue second in length to evaluate the airway passage for a blockage.

An oropharyngeal (OPA) airway is used to help establish a patients airway when a Select one facial trauma nose mouth lips skull fractures gag reflex is not present. OPA’s come in many sizes. To ensure proper size the rescuer should measure by placing one end of the device on the corner of the Select one facial trauma nose mouth lips skull fractures gag reflex and the other end to the earlobe. To insert the OPA, hold the device at its flange end and insert it into the mouth with the tip pointing toward the roof of the patient’s mouth. Once the distal end of the OPA reaches the posterior wall of the pharynx, rotate the OPA 180 degrees so that it is positioned over the tongue. The flange should rest on the Select one facial trauma nose mouth lips skull fractures gag reflex when properly inserted. Use of the OPA does not eliminate the need for maintaining proper head position. It is also acceptable to rotate the device at 90 degrees.

The NPA is used when the oral pharynx is not accessible or the patient has a gag reflex. The device is contraindicated in patients with Select one facial trauma nose mouth lips skull fractures gag reflex and used with caution if Select one facial trauma nose mouth lips skull fractures gag reflex are present. To ensure proper size the rescuer should measure from the corner of the Select one facial trauma nose mouth lips skull fractures gag reflex to the earlobe. Lubricate the device prior to placement with a water based substance. When inserting the NPA in an emergency on should pick the largest and straightest nostril. Place the bevel of the NPA to the nasal septum. Hold the device like you would a pencil and slowly insert the NPA into the patient’s nostril until the flange is flush with the nostril. Do not force the device. Use of the OPA does not eliminate the need for maintaining proper head position.

Mouth-to-mask breathing is the preferred method of ventilating a nonbreathing patient. It is a simple one person device, and because of the two-handed mask seal it provides excellent ventilatory volumes. The device when not connected to supplemental oxygen will deliver Select one one 16 transparent less 21 oxygen self 100 50 % oxygen to the patient. When attached to >10 LMP of supplemental oxygen the device delivers approximately Select one one 16 transparent less 21 oxygen self 100 50 % oxygen.

The bag-valve-mask (BVM) consists of a Select one one 16 transparent less 21 oxygen self 100 50 -way valve, Select one one 16 transparent less 21 oxygen self 100 50 -inflating bag, Select one one 16 transparent less 21 oxygen self 100 50 reservoir, and a Select one one 16 transparent less 21 oxygen self 100 50 mask. The device delivers Select one one 16 transparent less 21 oxygen self 100 50 % oxygen concentration with room air and once connected to high flow supplemental oxygen it can deliver up to 80 to Select one one 16 transparent less 21 oxygen self 100 50 % oxygen concentration. The BVM technique commonly creates a poor seal around the patient’s mouth and is designed for two trained rescuers to use. The BVM typically delivers Select one one 16 transparent less 21 oxygen self 100 50 volume than mouth-to-mask technique. When using a BVM during a cardiac arrest the rescuer needs to be aware of the pop-off valve status because greater ventilatory pressure is usually required. This device is most effective when the patient is intubated and the BVM is attached to an endotracheal tube (ETT) because the trachea is then isolated.

Sellick’s maneuver reduces gastric inflation during ventilatory efforts. By placing downward pressure on the Select one one 16 transparent cricoid 10 less 21 oxygen self 100 50 cartilage the diameter of the esophagus is decreased therefore restricting the flow of air into the stomach.

If a patient’s airway is compromised by fluids, turn the victim head to one side and remove large particles. Once suction is available the remaining fluids and fine particles should be removed. For oral suctioning the pressure should be set at approximately Select one 300 esophageal 14 5 blindly 4 15 caustic 80 mmHg and suction limited to Select one 300 esophageal 14 5 blindly 4 15 caustic 80 seconds. For tracheal suctioning the pressure should be around Select one 300 esophageal 14 5 blindly 4 15 caustic 80 to 120mmHg and suction time limited to Select one 300 esophageal 14 5 blindly 4 15 caustic 80 seconds. Only suction on the way out and always measure for proper advancement depth of the suction catheters.