The i-gel airway, a type of supraglottic airway device (SGA), is a single-use, disposable device designed to provide a secure and patent airway. Made of soft, flexible material, it forms a cuff upon insertion that conforms to the anatomical contours of the larynx and pharynx, creating a seal that prevents aspiration and allows for effective…

Advanced airway CPR involves advanced techniques and devices to manage an obstructed airway, ensuring proper ventilation and oxygenation. This includes using bag-valve masks, supraglottic airway devices, endotracheal intubation, cricothyrotomy, and intraosseous access. Healthcare professionals such as EMTs, paramedics, PAs, nurses, and respiratory therapists undergo specialized training and certification, such as ACLS and PALS, to acquire…

A high-pressure alarm on a ventilator indicates an excessive increase in airway pressure, potentially caused by airway obstruction, increased lung stiffness, or inadequate patient effort. Ignoring or misinterpreting this alarm can lead to serious complications like barotrauma and ventilator-associated lung injury (VALI). Prompt investigation and appropriate action, such as suctioning, adjustment of ventilator settings, or…

Reversible obstructive airway disease (ROAD) is a group of conditions that cause reversible narrowing of the airways, leading to difficulty breathing. It includes asthma, a chronic disease characterized by wheezing, coughing, and shortness of breath, and allergic rhinitis (hay fever), an inflammation of the nasal passages triggered by allergens like pollen or dust. ROAD conditions…

Intrapulmonary Percussive Ventilation (IPV) is a non-invasive ventilation technique that uses high-frequency percussive pulses to improve airway clearance and gas exchange. IPV involves attaching a percussor to the patient’s airway, which delivers rapid bursts of air into the lungs. This creates vibrations that loosen airway secretions, promote bronchial dilation, and enhance ventilation-perfusion matching. IPV is…

A manually triggered ventilation device is a medical device used to provide mechanical ventilation to patients who are unable to breathe adequately on their own. The device is typically operated by a healthcare professional who manually compresses a bag or bellows to deliver air or oxygen to the patient’s lungs. Manually triggered ventilation devices are…

A negative pressure respirator is an apparatus that creates negative pressure inside the patient’s airway. This draws air into the patient’s lungs, providing ventilation. It is used for patients who are unable to breathe on their own, such as those with respiratory muscle weakness or paralysis. Negative pressure respirators can be used in both hospitals…

A typical fob airway management team consists of healthcare professionals who work collaboratively to establish and maintain a secure airway during surgical, critical care, and emergency situations. The team includes anesthesiologists, surgeons, intensivists, pulmonologists, and respiratory therapists, who utilize essential equipment and perform procedures like fiberoptic intubation and tracheostomy. They adhere to institutional guidelines and…

The semi-recumbent position, with the patient’s head and shoulders elevated at a 30-45 degree angle, is generally considered the optimal position for obese patients on ventilators. This position promotes diaphragmatic excursion, improves lung compliance, and reduces the risk of atelectasis and pneumonia. Proper positioning involves ensuring the patient’s hips and knees are flexed, and using…

To measure a nasopharyngeal airway, determine the distance from the anterior nasal tip to the uvula. Use a medical ruler or otoscope with millimeter markings. Insert the airway into the nostril, gently advancing it until it reaches the uvula. Mark or measure the depth of insertion to ensure proper placement. This measurement helps assess airway…

Diving equipment provides divers with the ability to breathe underwater. It consists of several essential components, including a mask, snorkel, fins, buoyancy compensator device (BCD), regulator, and tank. The mask allows divers to see clearly underwater, while the snorkel provides a way to breathe while floating on the surface. Fins help divers move through the…

Breathing Through a Straw: Understanding Respiratory Challenges When you breathe through a straw, your diaphragm works harder to pull air into your lungs. This reduces your tidal volume, the amount of air you inhale and exhale with each breath, and increases your functional residual capacity, the amount of air remaining in your lungs after exhalation….