Question

5.4. Briefly list the type of patients that endotracheal anaesthetic can be used on. Mention 6 (6)

Answer 1

William MacEwan in 1878 firstly used Endotracheal intubation (EI) for the purpose of providing anaesthesia to the patient's by passing a tube from the mouth into the trachea, using fingers as a guide in the conscious patient. EI is also known as the windpipe, it is a tube that carries oxygen to the lungs. The size of the breathing tube is matched to age and throat size of patient. The tube is kept in place by a small cuff of air that inflates around the tube after it is inserted. EI maintains an open airway and helps prevent suffocation to the patient's having difficulty breathing.
Major Risk associated with EI :
heart attack, lung infection, stroke, temporary mental confusion and death
Purpose of endotracheal intubation is to provide anaesthesia, to open airways so that patient can receive medication and or oxygen in emergency critical cases such as
1. In Airway obstruction Respiratory distress -
to protect lungs and keep them working properly.
2. For Oxygenation failure (hypoxia)
In case of patient who have stopped breathing or having difficulty breathing
3. In case of Ventilation failure (hypercarbia)
you need a machine to help you breathe
4. For patients with Mental status alteration (GCS<8/15)
That is if suspect have a head injury and cannot breathe on his own.
5. In case of Flail chest/Pulmonary contusion
Patient need to be sedated for a period of time in order to recover from a serious injury or illness.
6. Cardio pulmonary resuscitation such as multiple coronary blockages and congestive heart failure.

Major Factors to be considered in EI are
chronic problems with lungs, kidneys or heart, diabetes, history of seizures, family history of adverse reactions to anesthesia, sleep apnea, obesity, allergies to food or medications, alcohol use, smoking age