Airway Management Flashcards
7 cards from real TNCC practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Airway Management flashcards as text
Which anatomical landmark is used to confirm correct endotracheal tube placement above the carina?
Answer: Carina at T4-T5
The carina, located at the level of T4-T5, is the bifurcation point; the ETT tip should rest 2-3 cm above it.
A trauma patient has a suspected cervical spine injury and requires intubation. Which technique best maintains spinal immobilization?
Answer: Video laryngoscopy with manual in-line stabilization
Video laryngoscopy combined with manual in-line stabilization allows intubation while minimizing cervical spine movement.
What is the primary indication for performing a needle cricothyrotomy in a trauma patient?
Answer: Cannot intubate, cannot oxygenate scenario with no other airway access
Needle cricothyrotomy is a rescue technique reserved for the 'can't intubate, can't oxygenate' emergency when other airway methods have failed.
Which waveform capnography finding most reliably confirms endotracheal tube placement in the trachea?
Answer: Persistent rectangular CO2 waveform over multiple breaths
A consistent rectangular capnography waveform across multiple ventilations is the gold standard for confirming tracheal intubation.
A patient with a stab wound to the neck presents with subcutaneous emphysema and stridor. The MOST appropriate initial airway intervention is:
Answer: Early definitive airway before edema occludes the airway
Expanding neck hematoma or tracheal injury can rapidly occlude the airway; early definitive airway securement is critical before complete obstruction occurs.
When using the LEMON mnemonic to predict difficult intubation, what does the 'E' stand for?
Answer: Evaluate the 3-3-2 rule
In the LEMON mnemonic, 'E' stands for Evaluate the 3-3-2 rule assessing mouth opening, hyomental distance, and thyromental distance.
Rapid sequence intubation (RSI) in trauma includes a defasciculating dose of a non-depolarizing agent before succinylcholine primarily to:
Answer: Reduce muscle fasciculations that may elevate intracranial pressure
A small defasciculating dose of a non-depolarizing agent blunts succinylcholine-induced fasciculations, which can transiently raise intracranial and intraocular pressure.