Final answer:
Endotracheal intubation is performed when the airway is obstructed or during general anesthesia when muscles for breathing do not function properly, to provide a clear path for air to reach the lungs. A laryngeal mask may be used as an alternative for airway management in certain cases, especially when intubation is not feasible. Both are crucial in managing respiratory distress.
Step-by-step explanation:
Endotracheal intubation and the use of a laryngeal mask are procedures performed to ensure that the airway remains open and that the patient can breathe properly. Indications for endotracheal intubation include situations where a person's respiratory system is obstructed by a foreign object, is injured, or when muscles necessary for breathing are impaired, such as during general anesthesia. This is because the relaxed tongue can block the airway, and the breathing muscles may not function properly to move air in and out of the lungs. Intubation allows air to bypass the obstructed or non-functional parts of the respiratory system, reaching the lungs directly.
A laryngeal mask is another airway device that acts as an alternative to the endotracheal tube. It may be used when intubation is not necessary, or when it is difficult to perform. It seals off the airway by fitting over the laryngeal inlet and allows for spontaneous or mechanical breathing. Respiratory distress symptoms like shortness of breath, wheezes or stridor, hoarseness, pain with swallowing, and cough are all clinical indications for considering airway management with either an ET tube or a laryngeal mask.