NBRC Airway Management 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which laryngoscope blade is inserted into the vallecula (space between the epiglottis and base of tongue)?
- Miller (straight) blade
- Macintosh (curved) blade (Correct answer)
- Wisconsin blade
- Wis-Hipple blade
Correct answer: Macintosh (curved) blade
The Macintosh (curved) blade is placed in the vallecula, and lifting indirectly elevates the epiglottis to expose the glottis.
Question 2: The correct endotracheal tube position is confirmed by all of the following EXCEPT:
- Bilateral breath sounds on auscultation
- End-tidal CO2 capnography waveform
- Chest rise with ventilation
- Presence of a cuff pilot balloon (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Presence of a cuff pilot balloon
A cuff pilot balloon confirms cuff inflation but does NOT confirm correct tracheal positioning; only assessment of ventilation and capnography confirm proper tube placement.
Question 3: The appropriate depth of insertion for an oral endotracheal tube in an average adult male is approximately:
- 15 cm at the lips
- 20 cm at the lips
- 23 cm at the lips (Correct answer)
- 28 cm at the lips
Correct answer: 23 cm at the lips
Oral ETT depth of approximately 23 cm at the teeth/lips places the tube tip about 3–5 cm above the carina in most adult males.
Question 4: Which airway device is considered a supraglottic (extraglottic) airway?
- Endotracheal tube
- Laryngeal mask airway (LMA) (Correct answer)
- Tracheostomy tube
- Endobronchial blocker
Correct answer: Laryngeal mask airway (LMA)
The LMA sits above the glottis in the hypopharynx and forms a seal around the laryngeal inlet, classifying it as a supraglottic airway device.
Question 5: Rapid sequence intubation (RSI) uses a sedative agent followed immediately by a neuromuscular blocking agent to:
- Prolong preoxygenation time
- Minimize time to intubation and reduce aspiration risk (Correct answer)
- Avoid need for a laryngoscope
- Increase airway reflexes
Correct answer: Minimize time to intubation and reduce aspiration risk
RSI rapidly achieves sedation and paralysis to minimize apnea time and intubation attempts, thereby reducing the risk of pulmonary aspiration.
Question 6: Cricothyrotomy provides emergency surgical airway access through the:
- Thyrohyoid membrane
- Cricothyroid membrane (Correct answer)
- Tracheal rings 2–4
- Pyriform sinus
Correct answer: Cricothyroid membrane
Cricothyrotomy is performed through the cricothyroid membrane, the preferred emergency access site because of its surface anatomy and vascularity.
NBRC Airway Management 1
Which laryngoscope blade is inserted into the vallecula (space between the epiglottis and base of tongue)?