Airway Management and Ventilation Flashcards

Waveform capnography shows a sudden drop in ETCO2 to near zero during CPR. What is the MOST likely cause?

Answer: Esophageal intubation

A sudden drop in ETCO2 to near zero during CPR strongly suggests esophageal intubation, as the esophagus does not produce CO2.

A patient with severe anaphylaxis develops stridor and a hoarse voice. What airway complication is most likely developing?

Answer: Upper airway edema and impending obstruction

Stridor and hoarseness in anaphylaxis indicate angioedema of the upper airway with progressive obstruction requiring immediate intervention.

What is the appropriate tidal volume to deliver when ventilating an adult with a BVM?

Answer: 500–600 mL

Current guidelines recommend 500–600 mL tidal volume (visible chest rise) to avoid gastric inflation and barotrauma.

Which landmark is used to confirm proper endotracheal tube depth in an average adult male?

Answer: 22 cm mark at the lip for males

For average adult males, the ETT is positioned at approximately 22–23 cm at the lip to place the tube tip mid-trachea.

A supraglottic airway device (e.g., King LT or LMA) is best described as:

Answer: An alternative airway that sits above or around the glottis

Supraglottic airways are inserted without visualizing the glottis and provide ventilation but do not fully protect against aspiration like an ETT.

When ventilating a patient with a suspected tension pneumothorax, which ventilation change would WORSEN the condition?

Answer: Increasing tidal volume and rate (overventilation)

Overventilation increases intrathoracic pressure, which worsens tension pneumothorax by further compressing mediastinal structures.

The AEMCA is ventilating a pediatric patient. How should BVM ventilation differ from adult technique?

Answer: Use age-appropriate mask size, lower tidal volumes, and faster rates

Pediatric patients require age-appropriate equipment, smaller tidal volumes (visible chest rise), and faster ventilation rates than adults.