Endotracheal Intubation Final Submission

Endotracheal Intubation Competency Assessing and assuring an open airway and ventilation are two of the most important and sometimes challenging tasks that a paramedic will have. Without a way for air to enter and exit the lungs, human life is immediately compromised. It is for this reason that airway and ventilation skills are a vital part of paramedic education and training (Sanders, 2007). Endotracheal (ET) intubation is a procedure by which a tube is inserted through the mouth down into the trachea where the patient is often unconscious at the time of the procedure. The endotracheal tube serves as an open passage through the upper airway and is considered to be the “gold standard” in the pre-hospital care setting for complete airway control. This topic was submitted and approved on September 7, 2008 by Dr. Joan Glacken.
Cognitive competencies Before the students can successfully perform the endotracheal intubation competency, they will need to know the following: • Anatomy and physiology of respiration. • Primary objective of airway maintenance. • Perform the assessment of the airway and respiratory system. • Factors that affect respiratory rate and depth. • Methods for measuring oxygen and carbon dioxide in the blood. • Implications of partial and complete airway obstruction. • Bag-valve mask performance procedure • Oropharyngeal placement procedure. • Causes of respiratory distress. • Risks of infection to paramedics associated with airway management. • Indications for endotracheal intubation. • Contraindications for endotracheal intubation. • Advantages for endotracheal intubation. • Disadvantages for endotracheal intubation. • Complications for endotracheal intubation. • Equipment for endotracheal intubation. • Method to select endotracheal tube size. • Techniques

References: Crystal, T. (2007). Instructor 's Resource Manual Essentials of Paramedic Care (2nd ed.). In (M. M. Pratt, Ed.). New Jersey: Pearson Education. Florida Gulf Coast University. "Fluid Cell Count." Project for Education Measurement and Evaluation in the Health Professions In (Unknown, Ed.). 2000. 7. Limmer, D. & O 'Keefe, M. F. (2007). Emergency Care (10th ed.). In (M. T. Dickinson, Ed.). New Jersey: Pearson Education Miller, M. D., Linn, R. L. & Gronlund, N. E. (2009). Measurement and Assessment in Teaching (10th ed.). In (C. Robb, Ed.). New Jersey: Kevin M. Davis Sanders, M. J. (2007). Mosby 's Paramedic Textbook (3rd ed.). In (K. McKenna, Ed.). Missouri: Elsevier Mosby.