Question

Describe three assessment findings that would indicate the patient has a patent airway.

Answer 1

Patent airway means the respiratory passage is free from any obstruction.It start from nose, mouth, and includes pharynx, larynx, trachea and bronchi. Assessment of airway helps to rule out presence or absence of any kind of obstructions in these air passage. Airway patency can be assessed by checking the voice, checking for breathing pattern and breath sounds.

1. Voice ; The patient responds in a normal voice indicate patent airway.

2. Breathing pattern ; The breathing will be in normal rate and rhythm with no laboured breathing or no increased effort for respiration indicate patent airway.

3. Breath sound ; A clear audible breath sound without stridor, and snoring.

4. Absence of any visible foreign bodies, secretions or edema indicate patent airway.