ABA Airway Management 3

Question 1

Which finding on capnography most reliably confirms correct tracheal placement of an endotracheal tube?

Accepted Answer

A persistent end-tidal CO2 waveform over multiple breath cycles

Answer

A persistent quantitative ETCO2 waveform across multiple breaths is the gold standard for confirming tracheal intubation, as esophageal placement will not produce sustained CO2.

Question 2

What is the recommended first-line management for complete laryngospasm occurring during emergence from anesthesia?

Accepted Answer

Positive pressure ventilation with 100% O2 and application of bilateral Larson's maneuver

Answer

Positive pressure ventilation plus the Larson maneuver (firm pressure in the laryngospasm notch) is first-line treatment; succinylcholine is reserved for unresponsive complete laryngospasm.

Question 3

Post-extubation stridor occurring in the immediate recovery period in an adult patient is most commonly caused by:

Accepted Answer

Laryngeal edema from the endotracheal tube cuff

Answer

Laryngeal edema from cuff pressure or traumatic intubation is the most common cause of post-extubation stridor, presenting as inspiratory stridor due to supraglottic or glottic narrowing.

Question 4

For a patient with a suspected full stomach requiring emergency general anesthesia, which technique represents the current standard of care for airway management?

Accepted Answer

Rapid sequence induction with cricoid pressure and succinylcholine

Answer

Rapid sequence induction (RSI) with cricoid pressure minimizes the time from loss of protective reflexes to secured airway, reducing aspiration risk in patients with full stomachs.

Question 5

Right mainstem bronchus intubation is most reliably identified by which of the following clinical findings?

Accepted Answer

Absent breath sounds on the left with decreased SpO2

Answer

Right mainstem intubation causes the left lung to be excluded from ventilation, producing absent left-sided breath sounds and progressive hypoxemia due to intrapulmonary shunting.

(ABA) American Board of Anesthesiology Practice Test

(ABA) American Board of Anesthesiology Practice Test

ABA Airway Management 3