Question

During a continuous quality improvement (CQI) audit of one of your patient care reports, the quality assurance officer asks you for more clarification regarding the use of sedation and paralysis on a patient with an upper airway burn. Provide the best response.

Answer 1

During general anesthesia for a patient with an upper airway burn, endotracheal intubation is typically used to maintain an open airway. The tube is removed once the patient's breathing muscles begin to function. Sore throat is a common side effect after surgery.

Step-by-step explanation:

When a patient with an upper airway burn undergoes general anesthesia, there are risks associated with breathing and maintaining an open airway. To ensure safety, doctors typically use a procedure called endotracheal intubation, where a tube is placed into the trachea to maintain an open airway and prevent blockage. During the recovery process, the anesthesiologist gradually reduces the anesthesia drugs and removes the tube once the patient's breathing muscles are functioning properly. It is common for patients to have a sore throat after surgery.