Airway Management: From Pre-Assessment to Intubation a Student ODP's Perspective

Abstract

Airway management is a fundamental skill in the implementation and maintenance of a general anaesthetic. An anaesthetised patient does not have full control over their airway, and without management a partial obstruction or other more serious complication may occur (Griffiths 1999). There are many ways to reduce the risk of complications occurring in the anaesthetic process. These methods can be subdivided into two main categories: prior preparation (Chethan & Hughes 2008) and pre-assessment (Neacsu 2002).