EDAIC Airway Management 5

Question 1

In a patient with a known difficult airway presenting for elective surgery, which strategy is most appropriate according to ASA guidelines?

Accepted Answer

Perform awake intubation before induction of general anaesthesia

Answer

Awake intubation preserves spontaneous ventilation and airway reflexes, making it the safest primary strategy for a patient with a known difficult airway.

Question 2

Which feature of the Cormack–Lehane grade IV laryngoscopic view differentiates it from grade III?

Accepted Answer

No laryngeal structures are visible at all

Answer

Cormack–Lehane grade IV indicates that neither the epiglottis nor any glottic structures are visible, whereas grade III shows only the epiglottis.

Question 3

A second-generation supraglottic airway (e.g., LMA Supreme) differs from a first-generation device primarily because it:

Accepted Answer

Incorporates a gastric drainage channel to reduce aspiration risk

Answer

Second-generation SGAs include a separate gastric drainage channel that allows venting of gastric contents, substantially reducing the risk of pulmonary aspiration.

Question 4

What maximum total dose of topical lidocaine is generally considered safe for awake airway anaesthesia to avoid systemic toxicity?

Accepted Answer

4 mg/kg

Answer

The standard safe upper limit for topical (not infiltrated) lidocaine for airway anaesthesia is approximately 4 mg/kg, though some protocols extend this slightly.

Question 5

In paediatric airway management, uncuffed versus cuffed endotracheal tubes: which statement is most accurate for current practice?

Accepted Answer

Cuffed tubes with careful cuff pressure monitoring are acceptable and preferred in most paediatric ICU settings

Answer

Current evidence supports the use of cuffed tracheal tubes in children including infants, provided cuff pressure is kept below 20–25 cmH₂O to prevent mucosal ischaemia.

EDAIC - European Diploma in Anesthesiology and Intensive Care Practice Test

EDAIC - European Diploma in Anesthesiology and Intensive Care Practice Test

EDAIC Airway Management 5