TNCC Airway and Ventilation Management 2

Question 1

A trauma patient with facial burns and singed nasal hairs has a hoarse voice. The priority intervention is:

Accepted Answer

Early endotracheal intubation before airway edema progresses

Answer

Hoarseness with facial burns and singed nasal hairs indicates impending airway compromise from edema. Early intubation is critical before swelling makes it impossible.

Question 2

Which airway adjunct is most appropriate as a temporizing measure for an unconscious trauma patient with intact gag reflex?

Accepted Answer

Nasopharyngeal airway (NPA)

Answer

A nasopharyngeal airway is better tolerated in patients with an intact gag reflex compared to an oropharyngeal airway, which would stimulate gagging and vomiting.

Question 3

During rapid sequence intubation of a trauma patient, cricoid pressure (Sellick maneuver) is applied primarily to:

Accepted Answer

Prevent aspiration by occluding the esophagus

Answer

Cricoid pressure compresses the esophagus against the cervical vertebral body, reducing the risk of passive regurgitation and aspiration during intubation.

Question 4

A trauma patient has oxygen saturation of 85% despite bag-valve-mask ventilation with 100% oxygen. Breath sounds are absent on the left with tracheal deviation to the right. The immediate intervention is:

Accepted Answer

Needle decompression at the left 2nd intercostal space, midclavicular line

Answer

Absent breath sounds, tracheal deviation away from the affected side, and hypoxemia indicate tension pneumothorax requiring immediate needle decompression.

Question 5

Which of the following confirms correct endotracheal tube placement most reliably?

Accepted Answer

Continuous waveform capnography (ETCO2)

Answer

Continuous waveform capnography providing end-tidal CO2 detection is the gold standard for confirming and continuously monitoring correct endotracheal tube placement.

TNCC - Trauma Nurse Core Curriculum Practice Test

TNCC - Trauma Nurse Core Curriculum Practice Test

TNCC Airway and Ventilation Management 2