ACLS Cases Respiratory Arrest

Individuals who are determined to be in respiratory arrest require attention right away, as they usually have ineffective breathing patterns that need immediate attention. Causes of respiratory arrest are varied; they can include (but are not limited to) cardiogenic shock and cardiac arrest. The BLS or the ACLS protocols can be used to resuscitated individuals who are showcasing signs of respiratory arrest.

As can be seen in Table 4, basic airways are listed in the right column while advanced airways are listed in the left column. Only experienced providers should administer the placement of OPAs and NPAs, even if they are categorized as basic airways. An ACLS certification does not offer enough training to administer the insertion of advanced airways, which demands specialized training. However, all ACLS providers should be familiar with the proper management of advanced airways in order to be part of an effective life support team.

When performing CPR, the individual must be lying on their back, as gravity can cause various parts of the mouth (including tissues of the throat, the tongue, and the jaw) to fall and close the airway. Keeping the airway in an unconscious individual open can be difficult, and it demands external support.

First, in all airway interventions, the airway must be opened, by pushing the forehead back while raising the chin upward (Figure 22). By doing this, the provider creates a straight and unobstructed path from the trachea to the nose.