SOLUTIONS TO EXERCISES, LESSON 2
Conscious and semi-conscious patients may still have a gag reflex and the
presence of an airway may induce vomiting and cause aspiration of the stomach
contents into the lungs. (para 2-4d)
When the patient starts to regain consciousness, or gags.
Place the tip of the airway into the patient's mouth.
Point the tip of the airway toward the roof of the patient's mouth to prevent the
tongue from being pushed into the back of the throat.
Slide the airway along the roof of the mouth, following the natural curvature of the
tongue, past the soft palate.
Rotate the airway 180 degrees as the tip reaches the back of the tongue.
Gently advance the airway and adjust it so the flange rests on the patient's lips.
(para 2-4d(1) through (5))
Grasp the tongue with your index finger and thumb (using a gauze pad, if
available) and pull the tongue forward or use a tongue blade to depress the
tongue. (para 2-4d(6))
Check the mask and bag to ensure that they are in working order.
Stretch the mask on both sides with your thumbs and fingers.
Place the mask over the patient's nose and mouth so that it fits over the bridge of
the nose and extends below the lower lips and forms a tight seal.
Place your thumb and index finger of one hand on the mask. Position the thumb
above and the finger below the valve connection.
Grip the patient's lower jaw with the other fingers in order to maintain the tight seal
of the mask (para 2-10d, e).
Any evidence of a head injury or roof of mouth (cribriform) fracture.
Exposed brain matter.
CSF draining from nose, mouth or ears (para 2-2(2), (a), (b), (c))
Rapid, relatively safe procedure.
Patient experiences noticeably less CO2 retention because of better ventilation.
(para 2-8a(1), (2))
End of Lesson 2