Step 4: Post-Airway | Airway of the Month

Step 4

Post-Airway

The airway is not done when the tube passes. Make the tube safe and the patient stable.

Learning objectives

Start sedation/analgesia
Set ventilator intentionally
Reassess hemodynamics
Document tube depth and confirmation
Debrief and capture learning

Say aloud

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.

Critical actions

Sedation/analgesia active Vent mode/settings/alarms reviewed BP and shock physiology reassessed Tube depth documented CXR/EtCO₂ confirmation documented Debrief completed

Teaching pearl

Post-intubation harm often comes from missed sedation, inappropriate ventilator settings, hemodynamic collapse, or poor handoff.

Common 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

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