Final answer:
The King Airway is used for emergency airway management when intubation isn't feasible. Common indications include respiratory distress and airway obstruction, whereas contraindications involve severe allergic reactions or other conditions that could worsen with its use.
Step-by-step explanation:
King Airway Indications and Contraindications
The King Airway is a device used in emergency medicine for managing a patient's airway when conventional endotracheal intubation is not possible or practical. Indications for the use of a King Airway include situations where a patient experiences respiratory distress, such as dyspnea (shortness of breath), wheezes or stridor, hoarseness, pain with swallowing, and cough. Recognizing the signs of airway constriction, such as chest tightness, bronchospasm, or the sensation of a lump in the throat is crucial for timely intervention.
Contraindications for the use of the King Airway involve scenarios where patients present signs of potential airway irritation, severe allergic reactions that may include a swollen throat, shock indicated by a sudden drop in blood pressure, a rapid pulse, dizziness, lightheadedness, or loss of consciousness. If such symptoms are present, alternative airway management strategies should be considered.