I had that rare feeling today. After 3 weeks of observing, assessting, and repeatedtly failing. Finally, things went just the way they were supposed to, I did just what I was supposed to, and with a Miller blade, I saw vocal cords and intubated all on my own. No help with adjustments, no help with the tube, nada. After I pushed the tube in, i waited to see condensation [to make sure it was in the trachea and not the esophagus] and then looked up at the monitor. I saw the CO2 waveform and I knew i was in. "wait, I did it?" I asked the doc. At this point Dr. G and the surgeon were continuing on, pushing meds and prepping the patient, at one point I heard Dr. G say to the surgeon "thank you for your patience" and he said back "no problem, we were all beginners at one point, right" ...and i just stood there in awe, not really listening to anyone, just looking at the monitor and totally forgetting any other responsibilites i had to do at that time. I was pre-occupied with smiling and savoring the victory.
After things settled down, I looked over at Dr. G and he gave me a 'good work' nod. I smiled and said I was so excited, I had finally got it. The surgeon overhead and said, "now dont forget to call mom tonight and tell her."
Miller intubation blade. Gotta put the blade in a see vocal cords before you can pass the endotracheal tube:
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