Airway management is an important nursing skill and involves assessing, monitoring, and managing a patient’s airway in order to ensure a clear and stable airway to ensure adequate oxygenation and ventilation. Nursing interventions may include maintaining a patent airway, monitoring oxygen saturation levels, providing artificial ventilation, and providing suctioning. Nurses may also be responsible for providing airway management education to patients and families.
Assessment
Nurses assess the patient’s airway in order to determine if it is patent, stable, and if they are receiving adequate oxygenation and ventilation. This assessment includes monitoring airway sounds, observing chest movement, and monitoring oxygen saturation levels. Nurses should also assess for any potential airway obstructions and assess the patient’s ability to protect their airway.
Monitoring
Nurses monitor the patient’s airway in order to ensure it remains patent and that oxygenation and ventilation is adequate. This includes monitoring the patient’s oxygen saturation level, respiratory rate, and other vital signs. Nurses should also monitor for any changes in the patient’s condition that may be indicative of an airway obstruction or other breathing issue.
Management
Nurses provide airway management in order to ensure a patent, stable, and adequately oxygenated and ventilated airway. This may include providing suctioning, assisting with tracheostomy care, and providing artificial ventilation. Nurses may also be responsible for providing airway management education to patients and families.
Education
Nurses provide airway management education to patients and families in order to help them understand the importance of maintaining a patent, stable, and adequately oxygenated and ventilated airway. This education should include information on how to recognize signs and symptoms of airway obstructions, how to provide suctioning, and how to provide artificial ventilation.