CSC Airway Management & Emergency Preparedness 4

Question 1

A patient develops laryngospasm during recovery from conscious sedation. The INITIAL treatment is:

Accepted Answer

Firm jaw thrust with continuous positive airway pressure via tight-fitting mask

Answer

Laryngospasm 'notch' pressure (firm jaw thrust) combined with CPAP via tight-seal mask breaks mild-to-moderate laryngospasm before pharmacologic intervention is required.

Question 2

Which of the following is a recognized risk factor for difficult bag-valve-mask ventilation during conscious sedation emergencies? (Use the MOANS mnemonic)

Accepted Answer

Presence of a beard

Answer

A beard (B in MOANS) prevents a proper mask seal, making BVM ventilation difficult; dentures, obesity, age >55, and snoring/stiff lungs are the other risk factors.

Question 3

A sedated patient begins regurgitating gastric contents. The IMMEDIATE nursing response is:

Accepted Answer

Turn the patient to a lateral (recovery) position and suction the oropharynx

Answer

Lateral positioning uses gravity to drain vomitus away from the airway while suction clears the oropharynx, reducing aspiration risk.

Question 4

When performing ventilation with a BVM during a sedation emergency, what tidal volume and rate should be targeted for an adult?

Accepted Answer

500–600 mL at 10–12 breaths/min

Answer

Current BLS guidelines recommend 500–600 mL tidal volume (visible chest rise) at 10–12 breaths/min to minimize gastric insufflation and barotrauma.

Question 5

Which patient presentation during conscious sedation most URGENTLY requires activating the emergency response system?

Accepted Answer

Unresponsiveness, absent breathing, and no palpable pulse

Answer

Unresponsiveness with absent breathing and no pulse constitutes cardiac arrest and mandates immediate emergency response activation and CPR.

(CSC) Conscious Sedation Certification Practice Test

(CSC) Conscious Sedation Certification Practice Test

CSC Airway Management & Emergency Preparedness 4