ITLS Airway Management and Ventilation 2

Question 1

A trauma patient with facial fractures and significant oral bleeding is unable to maintain their airway. Oral intubation attempts have failed twice. What is the next appropriate airway intervention?

Accepted Answer

Perform a surgical cricothyrotomy

Answer

After two failed oral intubation attempts in a patient who cannot maintain their airway, a surgical cricothyrotomy provides a definitive surgical airway and is the appropriate rescue technique.

Question 2

What is the primary risk of using a nasopharyngeal airway in a patient with suspected basilar skull fracture?

Accepted Answer

Intracranial placement through the cribriform plate

Answer

In basilar skull fractures, the cribriform plate may be disrupted, creating a path for the NPA to be inadvertently passed into the cranial vault.

Question 3

When ventilating a trauma patient with a bag-valve-mask, you notice poor chest rise despite a good mask seal. What should you do first?

Accepted Answer

Reposition the airway and reassess

Answer

Poor chest rise with a good mask seal most likely indicates inadequate airway positioning. Repositioning the airway (adjusting jaw thrust or head position) should be attempted before escalating interventions.

Question 4

What is the recommended oxygen flow rate when using a bag-valve-mask with a reservoir for trauma resuscitation?

Accepted Answer

15 L/min

Answer

A BVM with reservoir attached should be connected to oxygen at 15 L/min, which provides close to 100% FiO2, the standard for trauma resuscitation.

Question 5

During a rapid trauma assessment, a patient develops gurgling sounds during ventilation. What does this indicate and what action is needed?

Accepted Answer

Fluid in the airway; immediate suctioning

Answer

Gurgling indicates the presence of blood, vomit, or secretions in the airway. Immediate suctioning is required to clear the airway and prevent aspiration.

ITLS - International Trauma Life Support Practice Test

ITLS - International Trauma Life Support Practice Test

ITLS Airway Management and Ventilation 2