Airway Interventions
This airway is the only intervention recommended for patients with a gag reflex and its only contraindication is facial trauma
Nasopharyngeal Airway (NPA)
This medication is applied to increase the FiO2 a patient is receiving. (Don't overthink it)
Oxygen (O2)
This sign is typically a late stage sign for respiratory distress where the patient is sitting forward supporting their weight with their hands in an attempt to maximize air movement.
Tripoding
This device is used to administer oxygen through the nose at lower concentrations in alert patients and for pre-oxygenation in preparation for intubation.
Nasal Canula
This is the normal EtCO₂ range in a spontaneously breathing patient with adequate ventilation and perfusion
35-45 mmHg
This airway intervention is a basic airway measured from the corner of the mouth to the earlobe and is contraindicated in patients that have an intact gag reflex.
Oropharyngeal Airaway (OPA)
This medication is a Beta2 agonist used in respiratory patients experiencing bronchospasms that relax the bronchial muscles and reduce resistance in the lungs.
Albuterol
This lung sound is used to identify turbulent flow related to brochospasms.
This airway device is used to administer oxygen at higher concentrations in patients experiencing hypoxia
Partial Non-rebreather mask (pNRB)
This wave form indicates air trapping exemplified by the loss of the plateau and is typically accompanied by an elevated etCO2 measurement
"Shark fin" waveform
This airway intervention class is the only advanced airway that may be utilized at the EMT level.
Supraglottic Airway (SGA)
This medication is an anti-cholinergic used to augment the bronchiodilitory effects of albuterol as well as dry airway secretions.
Ipratropium Bromide (Atrovent)
This lung sound is used to identify fluid in the alveoli reducing surface area available for diffusion of gasses across the alveolar membrane
Rhales
This airway device is utilized to administer aerosolized medications directly to the lungs and our implementation is typically oxygen powered.
Nebulizer
This deep, rapid breathing pattern produces a rapid, generally normal-shaped capnography waveform with a decreased EtCO₂ and is commonly seen as respiratory compensation for metabolic acidosis such as DKA.
Kussmal Respirations
This specific SGA is utilized by our department and is sized by weight with sizes ranging from 1 to 5
iGEL
This medication is a glucocorticosteriod utilized to inhibit inflamation by way of several mechanisms
Dexamethasone (decadron)
This lung sound is a course, wet sound. Typically indicative of mucus present in the lungs due to infection (i.e. Pneumonia)
Rhonchi
This airway device is used to administer oxygen through the nose and measure expired CO2.
Capnography Canula
During CPR, this sudden and sustained increase in EtCO₂—often from a low value to 35–40 mmHg or greater—is an early indicator that this has occurred.
Return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC)
This intervention is an ALS intervention utilized on patients who are rapidly declining or their clinical course shows they will eventually need to be intubated to manage their condition.
Rapid Sequence Intubation (RSI)
This medication is a sympathomymetic utilized for patients in severe respiratory distress not responding to other treatments or patients experiencing anaphylaxis.
Epinephrine (Adrenaline)
This lung sound is indicative of upper airway obstruction, typically between the carina and the pharynx
Stridor
This airway device is used to administer positive airway pressure to patients who are experiencing shortness of breath not corrected by medications
Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP)
This sudden change in capnography is characterized by an abrupt drop of EtCO₂ to near zero and loss of the waveform. In an intubated patient, it should immediately raise concern for airway displacement or disconnection.
Loss of EtCO₂ waveform / possible tube dislodgement or circuit disconnection