glottis for easier endotracheal tube placement. Having such a tool on
hand to take most of the difficulty out of managing difficult airways is
developing into the standard of care.
• Positioning pads. Don't be lulled into a false sense of security
when placing patients
in basic supine and
lateral positions,
which demand atten-
tion to detail and care
in order to prevent
pressure injuries
from forming and
nerve damage from
occurring. Randall
Rentschler, RN, peri-
operative director at
Artesia (N.M.)
General Hospital,
says his staff places a
gel roll under the
axilla of patients
placed in the lateral
position to reduce
pressure on the neu-
ral plexus. When
patients are supine,
he adds, their arms
are positioned close
to their body to pre-
vent nerve damage at
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