19.3
Essential airway management includes several key techniques
The head tilt-chin lift technique involves placing one hand on the forehead while using the other hand’s fingers to lift the chin. This helps clear the airway by moving the tongue away from the throat.
When a cervical spine injury is suspected, the jaw-thrust maneuver should be used instead. This maneuver opens the airway without neck movement by placing fingers behind the jaw angles to move the mandible forward.
For unconscious patients without a gag reflex, an oropharyngeal airway, or OPA can be inserted to prevent tongue obstruction.
The OPA is selected by measuring from the corner of the mouth to the earlobe. It is initially inserted with the tip facing the roof of the mouth and then rotated 180 degrees to align with the tongue.
For apneic patients, a bag-valve mask, or BVM, is used by placing the mask over the nose and mouth, creating a seal with the thumb and index finger in the "C" shape around the mask while the remaining fingers form an "E" on the mandible; the bag is squeezed every 5–6 seconds to ensure visible chest rise.
Airway management is a key skill in emergency and critical care settings, as maintaining a clear airway is essential for adequate oxygenation and vent…
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