Airway Management
Unit Summary
After students complete this chapter and the related course work, they will understand the need for proper airway management, including recognizing and measuring adequate and inadequate breathing, maintaining an open airway, and providing artificial ventilation. Students will be able to demonstrate basic competency in applying these concepts to appropriate care through the use of airway adjuncts, suction equipment, oxygen equipment and delivery systems, pulse oximetry, CPAP, and resuscitation devices. They will also understand various types of advanced airway devices, including single-lumen airways, multilumen airways, and supraglottic devices, and will learn the steps for their insertion. Finally, they will learn the concepts of acid-base balance and their relevance in maintaining homeostasis in the body, as well as pathologic conditions resulting when this balance is not maintained.
Education Standard Competencies
Airway Management, Respiration, and Artificial Ventilation
Applies knowledge (fundamental depth, foundational breadth) of upper airway anatomy and physiology to patient assessment and management in order to assure a patent airway, adequate mechanical ventilation, and respiration for patients of all ages.
Airway Management
Airway anatomy
Airway assessment
Techniques of assuring a patent airway
Respiration
Anatomy of the respiratory system
Physiology and pathophysiology of respiration
• Pulmonary ventilation
• Oxygenation
• Respiration
o External
o Internal
o Cellular
Assessment and management of adequate and inadequate respiration
Supplemental oxygen therapy
Artificial Ventilation
Assessment and management of adequate and inadequate ventilation
• Artificial ventilation
• Minute ventilation
• Alveolar ventilation
• Effect of artificial ventilation on cardiac output