Question

Your 49-year-old COPD patient is unconscious and exhibiting ineffective respirations. You quickly decide to attempt to control his airway and provide positive pressure ventilations. Which airway adjunct has a large distal end with an inflatable cuff that presses against the patient's esophageal sphincter while the proximal border of the airway device rests against the patient's tongue?

A. King LTD airway

B. Esophageal-Tracheal Combi-tube

C. Laryngeal Mask Airway (LMA)

D. Nasotracheal intubation

Answer 1

The Esophageal-Tracheal Combi-tube is the airway adjunct referred to in the question, designed as an emergency measure for airway management when endotracheal intubation is not possible.

Step-by-step explanation:

The airway adjunct described in your question is B. Esophageal-Tracheal Combi-tube. This device is specifically designed for airway management in emergency situations for patients with difficult airways or when endotracheal intubation cannot be performed. The Esophageal-Tracheal Combi-tube has a dual-lumen design with an inflatable distal cuff that occludes the esophagus, preventing stomach insufflation, and a proximal cuff that seals the oropharynx. Its positioning is not as demanding as endotracheal intubation, making it suitable for pre-hospital settings by emergency medical services.

Intubation is vital in cases such as yours, where the patient is unconscious with ineffective respirations, to ensure the airway is maintained and that oxygen can be delivered effectively to the lungs. Whether using a Combi-tube, King LTD airway, Laryngeal Mask Airway (LMA), or proceeding with nasotracheal intubation, the primary goal is to establish a patent airway to facilitate positive pressure ventilation when spontaneous breathing is inadequate or absent.