EM

Question 1

ABCDE: if a pt can’t talk, what are the next steps?

Answer 1

Indicates airway compromise. Inspect for foreign bodies, blood, vomit/secretions, soft tissue swelling (e.g. anaphylaxis), or a mass

Question 2

ABCDE: how do we treat airway compromise?

Answer 2

Head-tilt chin-lift manoeuvre, jaw thrust, oropharyngeal airway (Guedel), nasopharyngeal airway (NPA)

Question 3

What can cause bradypnoea?

Answer 3

Sedation, opioid toxicity, raised intracranial pressure (ICP) or exhaustion in airway obstruction (e.g. COPD).