PRAXIS Artificial Airways

This refers to interventions used to support basic life functions in patients with compromised respiratory status.

These are specific types of artificial airways that may or may not be connected to a mechanical respirator.

Oxygen can be delivered to the patient through a facial mask or a nasal cannula to aid in respiration.

This is a potential side effect of oxygen use, referring to dry mouth, and it can have a negative effect on swallowing.

These are long, plastic, flexible tubes inserted through the mouth, passing through the vocal folds, and into the trachea. They are used to assist patients experiencing respiratory distress.

respirator to help the patient breathe effectively.

At the end of the tube is a cuff that is inflated to prevent oral secretions from entering the lungs and to keep air from escaping past the tube, thus maintaining the desired respiratory volumes within the lungs

restore respiratory competence

The medical team and a respiratory therapist

the respiratory therapist and speech-language pathologist

temporary measure (7 to 12 days) to establish respiratory competence.

permanent laryngeal and lung injuries due to local irritation to the mucosa

Complications such as granulomas, hematomas on the vocal folds, pharyngeal ulceration, and edema can give rise to voice and swallowing difficulties. Vocal fold paralysis or weakness may also develo

allow the patient to regain independent breathing, and the endotracheal tube is removed once normal breathing patterns are achieved.

further respiratory distress, possibly requiring reintubation.

tenuous, and a tracheotomy may be considered as a longer-term solution for airway maintenance.

eating and swallowing, as the vocal folds, oral cavity, and pharynx are not available for swallowing activity.

a swallowing evaluation, as patients may experience difficulty speaking and swallowing immediately after tube removal

aspiration, mainly due to oral-stage weakness and poor laryngeal elevation.

recover without specific treatment.

the best predictor of their potential to recover a safe swallow.

tracheotomy tube surgically placed in the trachea.

second and third tracheal rings, positioning it below the level of the vocal folds. This allows the medical team to access the lungs for suctioning.

the possibility for swallowing and speaking, less trauma to the vocal folds, and increased patient comfort.

inner diameter of the lumen. Common sizes include 8, 6, and 4 mm.

phonation, with larger tubes making it more challenging to get air around the tube up to the level of the vocal fold for speaking.

reinvolve the upper airway for speech and swallowing and eventually for total decannulation.

a decreased sense of smell and taste, infection at the tracheotomy site, and increased secretions due to the body's response to a foreign object.

This is a rare complication characterized by a breakdown of tissue on the posterior pharyngeal wall due to constant irritation. In severe cases, it may lead to a tracheoesophageal fistula, causing aspiration of food or secretions

Tracheotomy tubes can be either cuffed or noncuffed

inflated with air externally using a syringe.

When the cuff is inflated, it is intended to seal off the entrance to the lungs, theoretically preventing aspiration of secretions or food

common balloon and may lose air over time if not consistently reinflated. This means that even though the cuff might be initially inflated to prevent aspiration of secretions, patients may still be at risk for aspiration.

leak into the upper airway. While this can be advantageous in protecting the lungs, the presence of the cuff restricts voice and limits swallowing by anchoring the larynx.