Question

Once the patient has an airway in place, how can you assess for proper placement?

1) Checking for chest rise and fall
2) Listening for breath sounds
3) Verifying oxygen saturation levels
4) Monitoring for signs of respiratory distress

Answer 1

To assess for proper airway placement in a patient, one must check for chest rise and fall, listen for breath sounds with a stethoscope, verify oxygen saturation levels using a pulse oximeter, and monitor for any signs of respiratory distress.

Step-by-step explanation:

Assessing Proper Airway Placement:

Once a patient has an airway in place, there are several methods to assess for proper placement:

• Checking for chest rise and fall: Observing the movement of the patient's chest during respiration ensures the airway device is delivering air to the lungs effectively.
• Listening for breath sounds: Using a stethoscope, clinicians can listen for breath sounds bilaterally, verifying that air is flowing into both lungs symmetrically.
• Verifying oxygen saturation levels: Utilizing a pulse oximeter, healthcare providers can monitor the oxygen level in the patient's blood to ensure that it is within an acceptable range, indicating efficient gas exchange.
• Monitoring for signs of respiratory distress: Keeping an eye out for labored breathing or other signs of difficulty can indicate a problem with the airway's placement or function.

All of these methods are critical in confirming the correct placement and function of an airway in a medical setting.