Airway Management and Oxygen Therapy Flashcards

The sniffing position optimizes airway alignment by achieving which combination?

Answer: Extension of the lower cervical and flexion of the upper cervical spine

The sniffing position involves lower cervical extension and upper cervical flexion, aligning the oral, pharyngeal, and laryngeal axes for optimal airway visualization.

Which of the following is a contraindication to nasopharyngeal airway (NPA) insertion?

Answer: Suspected basilar skull fracture

A suspected basilar skull fracture is an absolute contraindication to NPA insertion due to risk of intracranial placement through a cribriform plate fracture.

During oxygen flush of an N2O delivery system at end of procedure, the recommended duration of 100% oxygen administration is:

Answer: 3-5 minutes

A 3-5 minute flush with 100% oxygen at the end of N2O sedation prevents diffusion hypoxia as N2O rapidly exits the bloodstream.

Which Mallampati class is associated with the MOST difficult laryngoscopy and intubation?

Answer: Class IV

Mallampati Class IV, in which only the hard palate is visible, correlates with the highest likelihood of difficult laryngoscopy and intubation.

A patient breathing 100% oxygen via non-rebreather mask has an SpO2 of 99%. This SpO2 reading confirms:

Answer: Adequate hemoglobin oxygen saturation only

SpO2 measures hemoglobin oxygen saturation only; a high SpO2 on supplemental oxygen does not rule out hypoventilation or CO2 retention.

An oropharyngeal airway (OPA) of correct size should extend from the:

Answer: Corner of the mouth to the earlobe

The correct OPA size is estimated by measuring from the corner of the mouth to the earlobe (or center of mouth to angle of mandible).

Which capnography waveform pattern is characteristic of bronchospasm?

Answer: Shark-fin shaped waveform with sloped plateau

Bronchospasm causes uneven alveolar emptying, producing a characteristic shark-fin or sloped capnography waveform due to obstructed expiratory flow.