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Abnormal vital signs after intubation

Troubleshooting review

Abnormal vital signs after intubation

Translate the vital sign into a failure bucket.

Low SpO₂Open hypoxia pathway.Low BPOpen hypotension pathway.Low EtCO₂Open EtCO₂ pathway.BradycardiaHypoxia, vagal, acidosis, meds, arrest.Tachycardia / hypertensionPain, awareness, hypoxia, hypercarbia.

Rule

  • First decide whether the vital-sign problem is oxygenation, perfusion, ventilation, pain/awareness, medication, or underlying disease.

Clinical review / use limits

Authored by: Airway of the Month education team. Last reviewed: July 2026. Audience: EM learners, faculty, EMS, RT, simulation educators, and airway teams.

Resources · Editorial policy · ACEP intubation policy · AARC 2024 ventilator assessment guideline · ATS 2024 ARDS guideline update

About this resource
Website creator: Kyle Brown, MD Airway educational contributors: Andrew Pirotte, MD; Kyle Brown, MD; Reba Hodge, MD; Amanda Vanderwerf, PharmD, BCEMP; Morgan Kimball, PharmD, BCEMP; Joshua Mohess Clinical review: Emergency medicine faculty review completed. Medication content reviewed by Amanda Vanderwerf, PharmD, BCEMP, and Morgan Kimball, PharmD, BCEMP. Last reviewed: 2026-07-23 Next scheduled review: 2027-01-23 Designed for: EM residents, emergency physicians, EMS clinicians, airway educators, and simulation faculty Important: Educational resource and clinical-reference guide only; not a bedside order set or substitute for local protocol, medical direction, or clinical judgment. Website contact: [email protected]