An infant's airway is often difficult to visualize because of its anatomical location. There are techniques that first responders can use to improve their success in intubating a patient, but knowing the anatomy and how it changes with age is imperative to the success of intubating the patient. As healthcare providers, we know about the anatomically difficult airway, but we will discuss the physiologically difficult airway. The difficult physiological airway needs to be address prior to intubation. Once the decision to intubate is made, utilizing an RSI checklist improves patient outcome. We will also review the medications that could be used for RSI. Different medications may be more beneficial for patients who have congenital heart disease, genetic anomalies with facial deformities, etc. We will discuss alternatives to intubation and what to do when a patient cannot be intubated.
Learning Objectives:

Review the anatomical differences between in the pediatric patient as they grow
Review RSI procedures as well as alternative medications for RSI
Discuss and explain the physiologically difficult airway