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Checklist teaching phase Step 4

Post-Airway

Confirm the tube, secure it, set the ventilator, start analgesia/sedation, and complete follow-up.

Airway Checklist: This static page supports simulation, prebriefing, and source review. It does not save encounter state, analyze a patient, or generate a clinical directive.

Discussion points

Tube confirmation

  • Confirm ETT with continuous waveform capnography

Secure

  • Secure ETT
  • OG/NG placement when clinically appropriate

Ventilation

  • Vent settings verbalized and confirmed

Sedation / analgesia

  • Analgesia initiated
  • Sedation initiated
  • Reassess hemodynamics and oxygenation

Follow-up

  • Obtain and review blood gas when indicated
  • Chest X-ray when indicated

Teaching pearls

  • The airway is not complete at tube passage. Immediate confirmation, analgesia/sedation, ventilator setup, hemodynamic reassessment, and follow-up prevent avoidable post-intubation harm.
  • Simulation discussion prompt: The ETT is confirmed with continuous waveform capnography and secured. OG/NG placement is addressed. Vent settings are verbalized and confirmed. Analgesia and sedation are active. Hemodynamics and oxygenation are reassessed. Blood gas and chest imaging will be obtained when indicated.

Common pitfalls for discussion

  • Relying on auscultation without waveform capnography
  • Leaving a paralyzed patient without analgesia and sedation
  • Vent settings not verbalized or reassessed
  • Post-intubation hypotension or hypoxia ignored
  • Treating blood gas or chest X-ray as automatic rather than indication- and context-dependent follow-up
About this resource
Created by: Kyle Brown MD; Andrew Pirotte, MD; Reba Hodge, MD; Amanda Vanderwerf, PharmD, BCEMP; Morgan Kimball, PharmD, BCEMP; Joshua Mohess Clinical review: EM faculty Reviewed: local ED, ICU, EMS, anesthesia, pharmacy, and pediatric protocol review recommended before bedside teaching rollout. 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: kybrown@kumc.edu