Maintaining an airway.
Patients who require resuscitation often have airway obstruction, usually secondary to loss of consciousness, however, sometimes airway obstruction may be the primary cause of cardiorespiratory arrest (Nolan et al 2005). Airway obstruction can be subtle and is often undetected. The nurse must be able to recognise and treat airway obstruction to help ensure adequate oxygenation.
Jevon
Philip
P
Manor Hospital, Walsall, West Midlands. phil.jevon@walsallhospitals.nhs.uk
D000402:Airway Obstruction / Q000451:nursing / Q000628:therapy*; D003413:Cricoid Cartilage; D006801:Humans; D011312:Pressure; D012151:Resuscitation; D006113:United Kingdom