Airway Management and Oxygen Therapy Flashcards

A patient receiving N2O/O2 sedation develops stridor during the procedure. What is the MOST likely cause?

Answer: Laryngospasm

Stridor is a high-pitched sound caused by partial upper airway obstruction, most commonly laryngospasm in the dental sedation setting.

Which oxygen delivery device provides the HIGHEST fraction of inspired oxygen (FiO2) in a spontaneously breathing patient?

Answer: Non-rebreather mask

A non-rebreather mask with a properly inflated reservoir bag can deliver FiO2 up to 90-95% at 10-15 L/min flow.

When performing a jaw thrust maneuver on a patient with suspected cervical spine injury, which technique modification is most appropriate?

Answer: Displace the mandible anteriorly without head tilt

The jaw thrust without head tilt displaces the mandible forward to open the airway while maintaining cervical spine neutrality.

A nasal cannula delivering oxygen at 4 L/min provides an approximate FiO2 of:

Answer: 36%

Each liter per minute of nasal cannula flow adds approximately 4% FiO2 above room air (21%), so 4 L/min ≈ 37% (commonly rounded to 36%).

During N2O/O2 sedation, the minimum oxygen concentration that must be maintained is:

Answer: 25%

A minimum of 25% oxygen must be delivered at all times during N2O/O2 sedation to prevent hypoxia, per DAANCE and AAPD guidelines.

Which clinical sign BEST indicates adequate bag-mask ventilation is being delivered?

Answer: Visible chest rise with each breath

Visible bilateral chest rise with each delivered breath is the primary clinical confirmation of effective bag-mask ventilation.

A patient's SpO2 drops from 98% to 91% during sedation. After repositioning the airway, the NEXT intervention is:

Answer: Increase supplemental oxygen flow rate

After airway repositioning, increasing supplemental oxygen delivery is the next appropriate step before escalating to reversal agents or advanced interventions.