Acute upper airway obstruction can be caused by foreign body aspiration, viral or bacterial infections (croup, epiglottitis, tracheitis), anaphylaxis, burns or trauma. Show
Clinical featuresClinical signs of the severity of obstruction:
Management in all cases
Management of foreign body aspirationAcute airway obstruction (the foreign body either completely obstructs the pharynx or acts as a valve on the laryngeal inlet), no warning signs, most frequently in a child 6 months-5 years playing with a small object or eating. Conscience is initially maintained. Perform maneuvers to relieve obstruction only if the patient cannot speak or cough or emit any sound:
Heimlich manoeuvre: stand behind the patient. Place a closed fist in the pit of the stomach, above the navel and below the ribs. Place the other hand over fist and press hard into the abdomen with a quick, upward thrust. Perform one to five abdominal thrusts in order to compress the lungs from the below and dislodge the foreign body.
Place the infant face down across the forearm (resting the forearm on the leg) and support the infant’s head with the hand. With the heel of the other hand, perform one to five slaps on the back, between shoulder plates. Repeat until the foreign body is expelled and the patient resumes spontaneous breathing (coughing, crying, talking). If the patient loses consciousness ventilate and perform cardiopulmonary rescucitation. Tracheostomy if unable to ventilate. Differential diagnosis and management of airway obstructions of infectious origin
Management of other causes
How do you perform a foreign body airway obstruction?Stand behind the victim (who is leaning forward), put both arms around the upper abdomen and clench one fist, grasp it with the other hand and pull sharply inwards and upwards. Continue alternating five back blows and five abdominal thrusts until successful or the patient becomes unconscious.
What is the treatment for severe airway obstruction?Epinephrine. Administered via a simple injection, this medicine can be used to treat airway swelling due to an allergic reaction. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). Involving a combination of chest compressions and mouth-to-mouth rescue breathing, CPR can be used to help someone who is not breathing.
What is foreign body airway obstruction management and its importance?Abstract. Foreign-body airway obstruction (FBAO) is a clinical emergency that may be life threatening. Nurses should be confident in assessing the severity of airway obstruction, delivering interventions to relieve the airway obstruction and knowing when to call for assistance.
What are the signs of foreign body airway obstruction?Typically, a person with a foreign body airway obstruction can't speak, breathe, or cough. The patient may clutch his neck between the thumb and fingers (known as the universal distress signal). Other common signs and symptoms include: choking.
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