contraindications and indications

• when are the laryngoscope and Magill forceps indicated?

  • FBAO
  • unconscious patient and not moving sufficient air
  • the foreign body cannot be removed with a finger sweep
• when are the laryngoscope and Magill forceps contraindicated?

  when a patient is conscious
• what are some complications of the laryngoscope and Magill forceps?

  • D = damage to soft tissue
  • D = damage to teeth
  • D = difficult to remove
  • G = gagging
  • M = multiple pieces
  • V = vomiting
• what are some pros of an LMA?

  • chest compressions can be conducted with an LMA in place
  • is quick and simple to insert
  • possible to ventilate with one hand
• what are some cons of an LMA?

  • non-definitive airway protection
  • difficult to ventilate with high airway pressures
  • cannot be used if trismus or restricted mouth opening is present
• when is an LMA indicated?

  • GCS 3 and poor airway despite OPA/NPA/jaw thrust
  • cardiac arrest where an endotracheal tube cannot be placed
  • rescue airway in a failed intubation
• what are the contraindications and cautions of an LMA?

  • vomiting
  • gag reflex
  • trismus/restricted mouth opening
  • upper airway obstruction
  • distorted airway
• what are some complications of an LMA?

  • inability to gain a good seal
  • regurgitation
  • aspiration
  • kinking of airway tube
  • laryngospasm
  • cough
  • upper airway trauma
  • gas insufflation
  • dislodgement
• what is a way to predict problems prior to insertion?

  R = restricted mouth opening

  O= obstruction/obesity/obstetrics

  D = disrupted/distorted airway

  S = stiff lungs (poor lung compliance)
• What is a way to remember troubleshooting?

  D = dislodged

  O = obstruction

  P = pneumothorax

  E = equipment failure

  S = stacked breaths (bronchospasm)
• when is an IM indicated?


  administration of a medication via IM route
• what are the contraindications of using an IM?

  evidence of trauma and/or infection at the site of injection
• what are the complications of an IM?

  • P = pain at the injection site
  • B = bleeding
  • I = infection
  • T = tissue necrosis