A
KEY LEARNING POINTS
- Assessment of the airway is the first part of the ABCDE approach.
- An obstructed airway can be rapidly fatal. Basic manoeuvres and early senior medical advice are essential.
- Be aware of possible airway obstruction in those with reduced consciousness who cannot maintain their own airway reflexes.
- If you suspect secretions may be a problem, suction should be performed.
- Urgent intramuscular or intravenous adrenaline is vital in anaphylactic airway obstruction.
- If a patient stops breathing, you must assist their breathing. This can be achieved using a bag-valve mask device (BVM) (e.g. AMBU® bag).
- Call for help early. A crash call will summon an anaesthetist, with expertise in airway management.
