ATLS 11 Module #4: Airway Assessment and Management Exam Questions and Answers | Guaranteed Pass | Updated 2026

ATLS 11 Module #4: Airway Assessment and Management Exam Questions and Answers | Guaranteed Pass | Updated 2026 list some basic maneuvers to increase oxygenation - answer-jaw thrust, suction, bag-valve-mask list some contraindications to an oropharyngeal airway - answer-awake patient, gag reflex list some contraindications to a nasopharyngeal airway - answer-facial trauma list the steps for a rapid assessment of a trauma patient's airway - answer-1. look - looking in the mouth and nose for blood, vomit, debris, evaluating for facial injury noting edema or hematoma 2. listen - verbal response for stridor, hoarseness, coughing, and breath sounds 3. feel - crepitus or palpable fractures list some indications of airway or ventilation compromise - answer-cyanosis (nailbeds and lips), chest retractions, accessory mm use what are adjuncts to the airway assessment? - answer-o2, respiratory rate, and capnography list three ways to confirm placement of an ET tube. which way is best? - answer-1-detection of end tidal co2 (BEST) 2-auscultation of breath sounds3-CXR (worst) list some adverse events after ET placement - answer-DOPE displacement obstruction pneumothorax equpiment failure what type of patient is more likely to have a mainstem intubation and why? - answer-peds patients, shorter trachea what is the treatment for positive pressure ventilation that causes a pneumothorax? - answer-volume resuscitation how does positive pressure ventilation affect the trauma patient negatively? - answer-reduces preload to the heart, may induce a pneumothorax what is the priority in airway management? - answer-oxygenation what are the different categories/statuses of airway compromise - answer-present at arrival impending iatrogenic examples of impending airway compromise - answer-edema, smoke inhalation, trauma to the face examples of iatrogenic airway compromise - answer-sedation, positioning t/f: laryngeal fx, blood in the airway, and facial burns are all concerning for a patients airway. - answer-tmax amount of attempts for RSI - answer-3 tidal volume parameters - answer- or = 6ml/kg of the ideal body weight RSI requires this prior to tracheal intubation - answer-preoxygenation and volume resuscitation what is the highest priority in airway management? - answer-maintenance of oxygenation list some signs or symptoms of airway injury - answer-dysphagia, hoarseness, stridor, subq/mediastinal emphysema, loss of laryngeal prominence, laryngeal tenderness out of proportion to exam, cartilaginous asymmetry, ecchymosis how should a patient be positioned who has multiple facial and airway injuries? - answer-most comfortable airway position (upright), ALLOWED TO MAINTAIN THIS EVEN IF OTHER INJURIES) list some reasons for urgent intubation - answer-decreased level of consciousness, dyspnea, dec spo2, stridor, supra/substernal or subcostal retractions, full thickness facial burns, edema of the oral structures or tongue what do all of these situations have in common: history of an indoor burn complicated by edema, inhalation of smoke/heated gasses/chemicals, carbon deposits in mouth or sputum - answer-signs for FREQUENT airway monitoring and reassessment list the indications for airway management during the primary survey based on symptoms of each system: airway breathingcirculation diasbility exposure - answer-airway - partial/complete obstruction, anticipated obstruction (burns, trauma, hemorrhage) breathing - chest injury with respiratory failure, hypoxia 90% despite high flow o2 (after pneumothorax exclusion), hypercapnia without immediately reversible cause (neuro or resp failure) circulation - AMS d/t shock disability - severe TBI w gcs 8 exposure - high percentage of body surface area burns t/f: airway mgmt in trauma pt always has the potential to be difficult - answer-t what are some historical factors that may indicate a difficult airway? - answer-pregnancy, OSA, previous surgery to the airway or the neck what are some physical exam findings that may indicate a difficult airway? - answer-obesity, large neck, short thyromental disance, retrognathia, limited neck mobility, beard, restricted jaw mvmt what scoring system is used for less emergent airway evaluation for pt in sitting positions? - answermallampati score Hypoxemic and hypotensive physiology is assoc w rapid development of ______ and inability to maintain airway - answer-apnea Pre intubation fluid resus, o2, monitoring, and prep of vasopressors reduce risk of: - answer-lethal complicationsdecrease in spo2 is a (late/early) sign of airway obstruction. - answer-late Inability to obtain oximetry readings may result from - answer-severe hypoxia or hypoperfusion Most pulse ox will read falsely high in cases of - answer-carbon monoxide poisoning ETo2 ____% = adequate preo2 prior to attempted intubation - answer-85 t/f: o2 is given to ALL trauma patient - answer-t, ESP if o2 if 94% what is the target spo2 for a trauma pt on a rebreather at 15L/min o2? - answer-94-98% when is high flow nasal o2 contraindicated? - answer-in pt w severe facial trauma or basilar skull fx list some basic airway maneuvers - answer-lateral position (left side down), suction, jaw thrust, mask ventilation Massive amounts of oropharyngeal matter can be managed by - answer-placing pt in left lat position, suctioning, and manual removal which type of airway: extend behind tongue, sized from incisors to angle of jaw - answer-oropharyngeal which type of airway: extend from nose to base of tongue, sized by nose to tragus Contraindicated in facial and basilar skull fx - answer-nasopharyngealLMAs only tolerated by which types of patients? - answer-obtunded or anesthetized patients what is the most significant risk during RSI? - answer-loss of airway or respiratory drive t/f: Esophageal intubation is fatal unless recognized immediately - answer-t All sedative meds used for RSI may induce or worsen: - answer-hemodynamic derangement