AIRWAY ANATOMY
This leaf-shaped flap of cartilage covers the larynx during swallowing to keep food out of the trachea.
What is the epiglottis?
With oxygen present, the cells convert glucose into energy through this efficient process.
What is aerobic metabolism?
The normal resting respiratory rate range for an adult, in breaths per minute.
What is 12 to 20?
Measure the nasopharyngeal airway from the nostril to this landmark to size it correctly.
What is the earlobe?
Before placing a nonrebreathing mask on a patient, make sure this is fully inflated.
What is the reservoir bag?
The side-lying position that lets fluids drain and helps protect an unconscious patient's airway.
What is the recovery position?
The firm, complete ring of cartilage that forms the lowest portion of the larynx.
What is the cricoid cartilage?
Starved of oxygen, cells make energy poorly and pile up this acid.
What is lactic acid?
A patient sitting upright, leaning forward on the arms — this position is a sign of distress, not adequacy.
What is the tripod position?
Insert the nasopharyngeal airway into this nostril.
What is the larger nostril?
The high-concentration mask that needs a reservoir and 10 to 15 L/min of flow.
What is the nonrebreathing mask?
Placing an uninjured, breathing, unconscious patient in the recovery position guards against this.
What is aspiration of vomitus?
Gas exchange happens only here — the grape-like air sacs at the very end of the airway.
What are the alveoli?
This substance coats the alveoli, lowers surface tension, and keeps them from collapsing.
What is surfactant?
Even with a normal respiratory rate, a patient breathing this way may still need assisted ventilation.
What is shallowly?
The airway adjunct reserved for a patient with no gag reflex.
What is the oropharyngeal airway (OPA)?
The low-flow device best suited to a mildly hypoxemic patient with adequate tidal volume.
What is the nasal cannula?
The airway maneuver of choice when you suspect a cervical spine injury.
What is the jaw-thrust maneuver?
The central compartment of the chest that holds the heart, great vessels, esophagus, and trachea.
What is the mediastinum?
Inhalation begins when the diaphragm and intercostal muscles contract and do this to intrathoracic pressure.
What is decrease (lower) it?
When breathing is rapid and shallow, air mostly moves here and never reaches the alveoli.
What is the (anatomic) dead space?
If a patient begins to gag as you insert an OPA, do this.
What is remove it?
Reach for a nasal cannula instead when the patient cannot tolerate this device.
What is the nonrebreathing mask?
The patient must be in this position for you to perform a head tilt–chin lift.
What is supine?
The trachea, bronchi, bronchioles, and alveoli all belong to this division of the airway.
What is the lower airway?
In the alveoli the partial pressure of oxygen is about this many mm Hg, and carbon dioxide about this many.
What are 104 and 40?
Cyanosis, an oxygen saturation of 88%, and an altered mental status are all signs of this.
What is inadequate breathing (respiration)?
This airway device cannot be inserted if the patient presents with a skull fracture.
What is an NPA?
Add this to supplemental oxygen for long-term delivery so it doesn't dry the mucous membranes.
What is a humidifier?
A person found prone should be moved to this position in order to assess the airway.
What is supine?