Postanesthesia airway obstruction
NCLEX-RN glossary · Reduction Of Risk Potential
Definition
A mechanical blockage of the airway following general anesthesia, typically due to the tongue falling backward or laryngeal edema.
Postanesthesia airway obstruction in plain English
This is a primary surveillance focus in the PACU and requires immediate manual maneuvers (head-tilt/chin-lift) or airway adjuncts to prevent hypoxic arrest. A frequent error is administering oxygen to a snoring, obstructed patient without first performing the manual maneuvers required to clear the physical obstruction.
Practice Postanesthesia airway obstruction
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