DCAS Airway Management & Intubation

Question 1

The jaw-thrust manoeuvre is preferred over head-tilt/chin-lift in trauma patients because:

Accepted Answer

It opens the airway without extending the cervical spine, reducing spinal injury risk

Answer

Jaw thrust displaces the mandible anteriorly to open the airway while maintaining cervical spine alignment, making it the preferred airway opening manoeuvre when spinal injury is suspected.

Question 2

The correct mask size for a bag-valve-mask (BVM) covers:

Accepted Answer

From the bridge of the nose to the cleft of the chin, creating an airtight seal

Answer

The mask must create an airtight seal covering the nose and mouth, from the bridge of the nose above to the groove between lip and chin below, to deliver effective ventilation.

Question 3

An oropharyngeal airway (OPA) is contraindicated in:

Accepted Answer

Conscious patients with intact gag reflex

Answer

The OPA stimulates the gag reflex in conscious patients, causing vomiting, laryngospasm, and aspiration; it is appropriate only in unconscious patients who lack a protective gag reflex.

Question 4

The 'LEMON' assessment tool for predicting difficult intubation evaluates:

Accepted Answer

Look externally, Evaluate 3-3-2, Mallampati score, Obstruction, Neck mobility

Answer

LEMON: Look externally (dysmorphic features, trauma), Evaluate 3-3-2 (mouth opening, hyoid to chin, floor of mouth to thyroid), Mallampati class (pharyngeal view), Obstruction (mass, haematoma), Neck mobility (restricted extension).

Question 5

Which laryngoscope blade type is typically used for direct laryngoscopy in pre-hospital intubation?

Accepted Answer

Macintosh (curved) blade, with the tip in the vallecula, or Miller (straight) blade under the epiglottis

Answer

Both Macintosh (curved, tip in vallecula) and Miller (straight, tip under epiglottis) blades are used; video laryngoscopes (GlideScope, McGrath) are increasingly recommended pre-hospital for improved glottic views.

DCAS Practice Test

DCAS Practice Test

DCAS Airway Management & Intubation