#intubate

OH I’D LOVE TO.

for minor incidents, they would likely have an IV line started and be given IV steroids such as Solu-Medrol 125mg. They would also receive a breathing treatment that consists of albuterol and ipratropium (sp?). Some side effects from that medication are an increase in heart rate. if its moderately bad, the patient may receive magnesium sulfate, which relaxes the smooth muscles in the lungs. a side effect from this medication is that you feel HOT. The goal for these medications is to treat wheezing in the lungs. When the wheezing has subsided, you know treatment has been effective.

For major difficulty breathing the course of treatment can vary from non invasive treatments such as BIPAP (a big facemask that forces air into you) to more invasive and dramatic treatments such as intubation (where we put a tube down your throat). An intubation is usually indicated when the oxygen saturation (SPO2) is low despite aggressive non-invasive measures such as nonrebreather mask, BIPAP, and medication interventions. Intubation is usually the first line of treatment if the patient is also unresponsive to painful stimuli such as a knuckle rub to their chest.

During an intubation, suction is set at the bedside and an IV line is established. If an IV line cannot be established in a timely manner, an intra-osseous line is placed by drilling into the shoulder. This allows our medications to be administered. A sedative (usually Etomidate 20mg in my facility) is given, and then a paralytic (usually succinylcholine 100mg) IN THAT ORDER. This allows the airway to relax while the physician or respiratory therapist attempts to place the tube. attempts are generally limited to about 30 seconds before the physician stops to allow for the patient to be manually ventillated with a bag valve mask. Eventually the tube is placed, and it is connected to the ventillator.