Assessment and Stabilization of the Airway
| Signs of acute upper airway obstruction | Causes of acute upper airway obstruction | Action if you suspect upper airway obstruction | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Conscious patient | Respiratory distress* Inspiratory stridor Suprasternal retraction Abnormal voice Coughing/choking | Foreign body Anaphylaxis (Chapter 38) Angioedema (Chapter 27) | Sit the patient up Give high-flow oxygen Call for urgent help from an anaesthetist and ENT surgeon Specific management of cause of obstruction |
| Unconscious patient | Respiratory arrest Inspiratory stridor Grunting/snoring | Above causes Tongue and soft tissues of oropharynx Inhalation of foreign body, secretions, blood, vomitus | Head-tilt/chin-lift manoeuvre Remove dentures if loose and aspirate the pharynx, larynx and trachea with a suction catheter Call for urgent help from an anaesthetist See Chapter 112 for management of the airway Specific management of cause of obstruction |