SAQ 693 – Trauma – blunt anterior neck injury and airway management

Marked out of 18.00

A 21-year-old man is brought by ambulance to your rural ED 30 minutes after being struck in the anterior midline of the neck with a hockey stick. He has a hoarse voice, a large anterior neck haematoma, anterior neck tenderness, and difficulty swallowing saliva. He is alert and has no other injuries.

Observation Result
HR 105 bpm
BP 150/90 mmHg
RR 22/min
O2 saturation 98% on 6 L/min oxygen
Temperature 37.0 degrees C
GCS 15

List two (2) important clinical signs that indicate significant airway injury.

(Marked out of 2.0)


/ 2

List and justify two (2) investigations to assess his airway.

(Marked out of 4.0)


/ 4

List three (3) different airway treatment options for this patient. For each option provide one specific associated risk or concern.

(Marked out of 6.0)


/ 6

State six (6) modifications to your routine intubation plan to safely manage his airway, with reasoning or rationale.

(Marked out of 6.0)


/ 6

Total Score: 0 / 18

Percentage: 0%