Upper Airway Obstruction
This is the priority assessment for any patient with suspected upper airway obstruction.
What is airway assessment?
This is the gold-standard diagnostic test for OSA.
What is polysomnography (sleep study)?
This type of nosebleed is considered a medical emergency.
What is posterior epistaxis?
This is the most common symptom of throat cancer.
What is hoarseness?
This nursing priority must be assessed immediately after laryngectomy.
What is airway patency?
These three early signs often occur before severe hypoxia develops.
What are anxiety, tachycardia, and diaphoresis?
Obesity, smoking, and a short neck are risk factors for this disorder.
What is obstructive sleep apnea?
Clear drainage from the nose that tests positive for glucose suggests leakage of this fluid.
What is cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)?
Tobacco use, alcohol use, and HPV infection increase the risk for this disease.
What is head and neck cancer?
This rehabilitation specialty assists patients in regaining communication after surgery.
What is speech-language rehabilitation?
This emergency procedure creates a temporary airway through the cricothyroid membrane
What is a cricothyroidotomy?
This therapy uses positive pressure to keep alveoli open and prevent airway collapse.
What is CPAP?
The priority action for any patient with facial trauma is assessment of this body system.
What is the airway?
These precancerous lesions are commonly associated with head and neck cancer.
What are leukoplakia and erythroplakia?
This opening in the neck requires lifelong care after total laryngectomy.
What is a stoma?
Tongue edema, laryngeal edema, and foreign bodies can all cause this condition.
What is upper airway obstruction?
The primary collaborative problem in OSA is persistent poor gas exchange caused by this.
What is hypoxia from abnormal sleep patterns?
A deviation of the nose, malalignment, and altered breathing may indicate this injury.
What is a nasal fracture?
This type of cancer typically begins as chronic irritation of the mucosa and is slow growing.
What is squamous cell carcinoma?
Hemorrhage, wound breakdown, and this problem are major postoperative concerns.
What is impaired gas exchange?
Sternal retractions, hypercarbia, and hypoxia indicate worsening
What is respiratory compromise/airway obstruction?
Name four risk factors for obstructive sleep apnea.
What are obesity, smoking, short neck, large tonsils/adenoids, large uvula, oropharyngeal edema, tongue obstruction? (any four)
Following rhinoplasty, patients should avoid this maneuver that increases intrathoracic pressure.
What is the Valsalva maneuver?
Name four risk factors for head and neck cancer.
What are tobacco use, alcohol use, chronic laryngitis, voice abuse, poor oral hygiene, GERD, HPV infection, chemical exposure? (any four)
Name five areas of postoperative care following laryngectomy.
What are airway patency, gas exchange, wound care, flap care, hemorrhage monitoring, pain management, nutrition, communication rehabilitation? (any five)