A 36-year-old man was taken to the emergency department after having been found lying unresponsive in a local park with an empty whisky bottle nearby. He was given oxygen by an open face mask during the 15minute ride in the ambulance. The paramedic decided to improve the airway by passing a soft nasal tube. On attempting to pass the well-lubricated tube into the patient's nose, the paramedic found it impossible to push it much beyond the nasal vestibule on either side. What are the common anatomic causes of obstruction of the nasal airway?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The Answer is The most common cause for difficulty in passing a nasal tube is a deflected nasal septum. This occurs more commonly in the male, and is thought to be due to previous trauma to the septum during the period of active growth. Nasal spurs and polyps may cause difficulty and swelling of the mucous membrane secondary to infection or chemical irritation, and can also cause blockage. The widest part of the nasal cavity is near the floor.

A 36-Year-Old Man Was Taken to the Emergency Department After