Insert an Oropharyngeal Airway
Learn the history of the oropharyngeal airway (OPA) and review how to size the OPA for the patient, as well as the correct way to insert this basic, and effective, airway adjunct.
Assessing Acute Shortness of Breath
Shortness of breath, or dyspnea, results from air hunger, a sensation that you’re not getting enough air. Here’s how to spot a patient with increased work of breathing, an important assessment for an EMS provider evaluating a patient with dyspnea.
Where Pressure Meets the Patient: Proper Mask Application for Noninvasive Ventilation
Non-invasive ventilation will only be effective if your patient is comfortable and you have a good seal with the patient's face. Photos courtesy Joseph Hopple When applying a device to deliver noninvasive ventilation (e.g., CPAP or BiPAP) to a patient, many providers forget to pay attention to one of the most critical aspects of using [...]
Breathe It All In
Thorough Assessment is Crucial in Patients with Respiratory Distress By Dennis Edgerly A 48-year-old male sits in his bedroom, sitting up and leaning forward. As you approach him, he tells you he can’t catch his breath. He’s in obvious distress, but is able to tell you his shortness of breath began this morning and has [...]
A Modern Approach to Basic Airway Management
By Andrew Merelman, BS, NRP, FP-C , Richard Levitan, MD, FACEP
You arrive on scene and find a 68-year-old man is lying on the couch with difficulty breathing. He’s obese and obtunded, with severe respiratory distress. His wife tells you he has a history of congestive heart failure. He appears pale and diaphoretic, with snoring, slow, shallow breaths and his initial oxygen saturation is 72%. What are the most important first steps in managing his airway and breathing?
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