Core teaching points
- Sedation/analgesia active
- Vent mode/settings/alarms reviewed
- BP and shock physiology reassessed
- Tube depth documented
- CXR/EtCO₂ confirmation documented
- Debrief completed
Teaching step
Step 4: Post-Airway
The airway is not done when the tube passes. Make the tube safe and the patient stable.
Pearls
Post-intubation harm often comes from missed sedation, inappropriate ventilator settings, hemodynamic collapse, or poor handoff.
Room script: Tube is confirmed. Sedation and analgesia are active. Vent settings are reviewed. Blood pressure is reassessed. Tube depth is documented. Let’s debrief the case.
Pitfalls
- Forgetting analgesia/sedation after paralysis
- Leaving FiO₂/PEEP/RR unchanged without reassessment
- Ignoring post-intubation hypotension instead of opening the hypotension/rescue pathway
- No debrief after difficult attempt