--- title: Three Risk Factors for Pulmonary Aspiration description: There are certain scenarios that increase your patient's chance of pulmonary aspiration. The one thing they all have in common is an unprotected airway. In this article, we discuss three risk factors for pulmonary aspiration. image: https://blog.sscor.com/hubfs/Blog/treating-patient-ems.jpg --- [![dark-header.jpg](https://blog.sscor.com/hs-fs/hub/212347/file-1107077240.jpg?width=940&name=file-1107077240.jpg "dark-header.jpg")](https://www.sscor.com/) ## **Thank you for visiting the SSCOR Blog.** Whether you're in a Hospital or EMS setting, this is the place for you. We'll share information on current industry news, tips, as well as the latest and greatest in SSCOR products. Our hope is that this blog is not only informative but a collaborative and open forum for you to share your thoughts on developing opportunities and challenges within your profession. Subscribe. Share your thoughts. Enjoy. -SSCOR Team   # [Three Risk Factors for Pulmonary Aspiration](https://blog.sscor.com/three-risk-factors-for-pulmonary-aspiration) Posted by [Sam D. Say](https://blog.sscor.com/author/sam-d-say) Aug 29, 2022 8:00:00 AM 4 min read - [![LinkedIn Social Icon](https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hub/142915/file-2628248555-png/images/icons/linkedin-small.png) ](https://blog.sscor.com/three-risk-factors-for-pulmonary-aspiration#) 0 - [![Facebook Social Icon](https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hub/142915/file-2623658044-png/images/icons/fb-small.png) ](https://blog.sscor.com/three-risk-factors-for-pulmonary-aspiration#) 0 ![Three Risk Factors for Pulmonary Aspiration](https://blog.sscor.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Blog/treating-patient-ems.jpg?width=700&height=468&name=treating-patient-ems.jpg)   As an emergency medical professional, one of your most critical responsibilities is protecting your patient's airway. This can mean relieving an obstruction (using the Heimlich maneuver or forceps), placing an advanced airway (naso- or endotracheal tube), or simply repositioning the patient to keep their airway open (placing supine, using a jaw thrust).    ## **The Main Goal: Prevent Hypoxia ** Preventing hypoxia is your primary goal. By ensuring adequate air exchange, monitoring closely, and supplementing when necessary, you minimize the risk of hypoxia by allowing the body's normal oxygenation processes to take place. These processes include:   - **Ventilation**: enabling the adequate flow of gas into and out of the lungs - **Distribution**: delivering gas to the lungs, where exchange will take place - **Diffusion**: allowing the tissues within the lungs to engage in gas exchange - **Perfusion**: having adequate blood flow through the pulmonary vasculature - **Circulation**: enabling the heart to distribute blood throughout the body   [![New: Ultimate Guide To Purchasing A Portable Emergency Suction Device](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/212347/55c49bab-8acd-48d9-a274-d480a9b3e678.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/212347/55c49bab-8acd-48d9-a274-d480a9b3e678)   ## **Risk Factors for Pulmonary Aspiration** There are certain scenarios that increase your patient's chance of pulmonary aspiration. The one thing they all have in common is an unprotected airway. Today, we'll discuss three [common risk factors](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK470169/) for pulmonary aspiration.   ### **Pulmonary Aspiration and Stroke** When a patient suffers a stroke, be it hemorrhagic or ischemic, their resulting level of consciousness will depend on several factors. One is the expanse of the bleed, or the size and location of the brain tissue affected. The larger the bleed, the more likely the patient will be rendered unconscious – the same with clots that inhibit circulation to large areas of cerebral tissue. Pulmonary aspiration is always a risk if the patient suffers a diminished level of consciousness.    Keep in mind that this may not be the patient's first stroke. Previous strokes may have left the patient with disabilities, such as reduced mentation, the inability to swallow, or other physical handicaps that make it difficult to protect their airway.    Strokes [tend to occur in the elderly,](https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/stroke) who may already have physical limitations that make it difficult to position them for improved air exchange. If the patient suffers from kyphosis (anterior curvature of the spine) or spinal stenosis, and is unable to lie flat, pad the backboard or stretcher and consider placing them in recovery position when appropriate.   ### **Pulmonary Aspiration in the Head-Injured Patient** A patient [suffering from a head injury](https://blog.sscor.com/critical-steps-in-treating-patients-with-head-injuries-using-an-emergency-suction-pump) is also at risk for pulmonary aspiration. Not only may they have a reduced level of consciousness or be unresponsive, but the traumatic injury may produce bleeding in the oral or nasal cavity, which can easily be aspirated into the lungs.    Patients with head injuries may also have a spinal injury, so use a jaw thrust to open the airway and place the backboard on its side to use gravity to prevent pulmonary aspiration. You may want to consider rapid sequence intubation for patients who still have a gag reflex but are unable to protect their airways.   ### **Alcohol Overdose and Pulmonary Aspiration** Alcohol overdose, [also known as alcohol poisoning](https://www.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/brochures-and-fact-sheets/understanding-dangers-of-alcohol-overdose), presents a serious threat of pulmonary aspiration. Alcohol overdose occurs when the blood alcohol level is so high that it interferes with the body's ability to perform basic functions, such as controlling body temperature, respiration, and heart rate. Signs of alcohol poisoning include:   - Mental confusion or stupor - Difficulty remaining conscious, or the inability to wake up - Vomiting - Seizures - Slow breathing (fewer than 8 breaths per minute) - Irregular breathing (10 seconds or more between breaths) - Slow heart rate - Clammy skin - Dulled responses, such as no gag reflex (which prevents choking) - Extremely low body temperature, bluish skin color, or paleness Consider using an [advanced airway](https://blog.sscor.com/emergency-suction-and-intubation-best-practices) in patients suspected of alcohol poisoning, since the probability for vomiting is high, as is the chance for pulmonary aspiration.    [![New: Determining the Contents of Your First-In Bag: What Every Paramedic Should Consider. 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If the suction isn't ready, the chance of preventing pulmonary aspiration is little to none.    Bring the suction along on all ALS calls. It should be part of your ALS assemblage, along with your drug box, airway bag, and trauma kit. Store it in proximity, in a secure compartment to prevent damage during emergency response, and be sure to [maintain your unit](https://blog.sscor.com/best-maintenance-practices-for-your-portable-suction-unit) by checking it at the start of each shift, replacing old or depleted batteries, disinfecting the unit after each use, and keeping plenty of accessories on hand.    Preventing pulmonary aspiration requires aggressive airway management, and one of the most effective means of keeping the airway clear is using your portable suction unit.   *Editor's Note: This blog was originally published in August 2022. It has been re-published with additional up-to-date content.*   Topics: [Emergency medical suction](https://blog.sscor.com/topic/emergency-medical-suction) ![Author Photo](https://blog.sscor.com/hs-fs/hubfs/SDS2-648378-edited.jpg?width=70&name=SDS2-648378-edited.jpg) ## AboutSam D. Say Sam D. Say is owner and CEO of SSCOR, Inc., a medical device manufacturer specializing in emergency battery operated portable suction devices for the hospital and pre-hospital settings. Mr. Say has been involved in developing product for healthcare providers for over 35 years. His passions include contributing to the management of the patient airway and providing solutions that save lives in difficult conditions. 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