Look for
- Kink, biting, small ETT, mucus plug, blood, vomit, secretions.
- Bronchospasm/asthma/COPD.
- Suction catheter should pass; inability to pass suggests obstruction or kink.
Rescue pathway
Hypoxia: obstruction
Tube obstruction and bronchospasm are common and fixable.
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.
This is an educational cognitive-aid scaffold, not a bedside order set. Verify medications, ventilator changes, pediatric dosing, and procedures against local ED, ICU, anesthesia, pharmacy, RT, EMS, and pediatric policies.
Resources · Editorial policy · ACEP intubation policy · ARDS ventilation reference