DCAS Airway Management & Intubation 3

Question 1

Cricothyrotomy is indicated in which situation?

Accepted Answer

Can't intubate, can't oxygenate (CICO) — failed airway with life-threatening hypoxia

Answer

Cricothyrotomy (surgical or needle) is a rescue intervention reserved for the CICO scenario — when all other airway methods have failed and the patient is dying of hypoxia — providing direct tracheal access below the obstruction.

Question 2

The cricothyroid membrane is located:

Accepted Answer

Between the thyroid cartilage superiorly and the cricoid cartilage inferiorly

Answer

The cricothyroid membrane is palpable between the thyroid cartilage (Adam's apple) superiorly and the cricoid cartilage (ring) inferiorly — the landmark for emergency surgical airway access.

Question 3

Post-intubation sedation and analgesia in the pre-hospital setting is important because:

Accepted Answer

Paralysis from RSI wears off and an awake, intubated patient will fight the tube and hyperventilate

Answer

Neuromuscular blockade from succinylcholine wears off in 8-10 minutes; ongoing sedation and analgesia prevent patient awareness, fighting against the tube, self-extubation, and dangerous sympathetic responses.

Question 4

An end-tidal CO2 reading of 20 mmHg in a breathing, non-arrested patient after intubation suggests:

Accepted Answer

Oesophageal intubation (or extreme hyperventilation) — verify tube position immediately

Answer

A very low ETCO2 of 20 mmHg in a breathing patient most likely indicates oesophageal intubation (where CO2 from a few gastric CO2 washes out rapidly) and must be immediately evaluated with laryngoscopy.

Question 5

The nasopharyngeal airway (NPA) is preferred over the oropharyngeal airway (OPA) in which situation?

Accepted Answer

Semi-conscious patients with intact gag reflex, or patients with jaw clenching (trismus)

Answer

The NPA is better tolerated in patients with some level of consciousness and an intact gag reflex; it does not trigger the gag response as readily as an OPA and can be used when mouth opening is restricted.

DCAS Practice Test

DCAS Practice Test

DCAS Airway Management & Intubation 3