PHTLS Airway and Ventilation 2

Question 1

A trauma patient has a GCS of 8 and is breathing with an irregular pattern. What is the most appropriate airway intervention?

Accepted Answer

Definitive airway management via endotracheal intubation or supraglottic device

Answer

Nasopharyngeal airway only

Answer

Oropharyngeal airway and BVM ventilation

Answer

High-flow oxygen via non-rebreather mask

Question 2

Which finding during airway assessment indicates immediate life-threatening airway obstruction?

Accepted Answer

Complete absence of breath sounds bilaterally with no chest rise

Answer

Mild stridor during exertion

Answer

Expiratory wheeze in both lung fields

Answer

SpO2 of 94% on room air

Question 3

When performing bag-valve-mask ventilation on a trauma patient, what tidal volume and rate are recommended to avoid iatrogenic harm?

Accepted Answer

Tidal volumes causing visible chest rise at 10-12 breaths/min

Answer

Large tidal volumes at 20 breaths/min

Answer

Minimal volumes at 6 breaths/min

Answer

Forceful ventilation at 24 breaths/min to maximize oxygenation

Question 4

A patient with suspected cervical spine injury needs airway management. Which approach is preferred?

Accepted Answer

Use jaw thrust maneuver with in-line spinal stabilization

Answer

Hyperextend the neck to open the airway fully

Answer

Avoid all airway maneuvers until imaging confirms injury

Answer

Perform immediate cricothyrotomy

Question 5

Which supraglottic airway device is considered acceptable for definitive airway management when endotracheal intubation is not feasible in PHTLS?

Accepted Answer

Laryngeal mask airway (LMA) or King LT

Answer

Simple face mask

Answer

Nasopharyngeal airway

Answer

Oropharyngeal airway

Question 6

During rapid sequence intubation (RSI) of a trauma patient, which complication most directly results from excessive ventilation rate?

Accepted Answer

Reduced venous return and decreased cardiac output

Answer

Hypoxia from oxygen consumption

Answer

Esophageal intubation

Answer

Laryngospasm

Question 7

A patient with a penetrating neck injury is maintaining their own airway but has progressive swelling and voice changes. What is the most appropriate prehospital action?

Accepted Answer

Initiate early definitive airway before complete obstruction occurs

Answer

Wait and reassess in 5 minutes

Answer

Apply a cervical collar tightly to tamponade swelling

Answer

Administer albuterol for swelling