ACLS

Airway Management

“Airway”refers to the path from the nose and mouth to the lungs

Confusingly, “airway”also refers to the objects used to hold the airway open

Simple (Non-advanced) Airways

The simplest way to open the airway is the head tilt-chin lift maneuver:

If you suspect an injury to the neck, use the jaw thrust technique instead:

Mouth-to-mask resuscitation is appropriate

Bag-valve mask resuscitation is also a non-advanced airway maneuver

Oropharyngeal Airway

An oropharyngeal airwayis:

a non-advanced airway
a tube that goes in the mouth (oro-) and ends in the back of the throat (pharynx)
for unconsciouspatients when chin lift is not enough to open the airway
often used during bag mask ventilation and for suctioning

Proper sizing:
Should span from side of jaw to corner of mouth
Too large and it will occlude the larynx, and too small will not be effective

Nasopharyngeal Airway

A nasopharyngeal airway is:

a non-advanced airway
a tube that goes in the nose (naso-) and ends in the back of the throat (pharynx)
for conscious or unconscious patients when chin lift is not enough to open the airway
often used during bag mask ventilation and for suctioning

Proper sizing:
Should span from tip of nose to earlobe
Too large and it will occlude the larynx, and too small will not be effective

Advanced Airways

Advanced airways required advanced training to insert that is beyond the scope of ACLS. However, ACLS providers may use them once they have been placed.Advanced airways include:

Laryngeal mask airway