Airway and Ventilatory Management Flashcards
6 cards from real ATLS practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 6 Airway and Ventilatory Management flashcards as text
A trauma patient presents with a GCS of 7, copious oral bleeding, and suspected cervical spine injury. What is the most appropriate airway management approach?
Answer: Rapid sequence intubation with in-line cervical stabilization
RSI with manual in-line stabilization is the standard approach for securing the airway in trauma patients with potential cervical spine injuries and a GCS less than 8.
Which clinical sign most reliably indicates tension pneumothorax requiring immediate intervention?
Answer: Unilateral absent breath sounds with hypotension and tracheal deviation
The classic presentation of tension pneumothorax includes absent breath sounds on the affected side, hypotension, and contralateral tracheal deviation.
What is the primary indication for performing a surgical cricothyroidotomy in trauma?
Answer: Failed orotracheal intubation with inability to ventilate
Surgical cricothyroidotomy is the definitive rescue airway when orotracheal intubation has failed and the patient cannot be adequately ventilated.
During the primary survey, a patient has oxygen saturation of 85% despite high-flow oxygen. Breath sounds are present bilaterally. What should be evaluated next?
Answer: Check for flail chest or pulmonary contusion
Persistent hypoxemia despite supplemental oxygen with bilateral breath sounds suggests underlying pulmonary pathology such as pulmonary contusion or flail chest.
Which of the following patients would be most appropriate for needle cricothyroidotomy rather than surgical cricothyroidotomy?
Answer: An 8-year-old with a failed intubation attempt
Needle cricothyroidotomy with transtracheal jet ventilation is the preferred emergency surgical airway in children under 12 because the cricothyroid membrane is small.
A trauma patient develops progressive hoarseness, stridor, and subcutaneous emphysema in the neck. Which injury should be most strongly suspected?
Answer: Laryngeal fracture
The triad of hoarseness, stridor, and subcutaneous emphysema in the neck is highly suggestive of laryngeal fracture.