Chapter 1: Evaluation of the Airway

Chapter 1. Evaluation of the Airway

The most common factor leading to a failed airway is

A. morbid obesity

B. distorted airway anatomy

C. upper airway obstruction

D. failure to predict a difficult airway

E. not knowing enough rescue techniques well

(D) While others may play a significant role, the most common factor leading to a failed airway is failure to predict a difficult airway.

The standard of care in airway management is related to all of the following EXCEPT:

A. the skill of an average practitioner

B. similar localities

C. procedures that give the best results

D. the expectations of the reasonable patient

E. opinions offered by experts

(E) The standard of care is the “conduct and skill of an average and prudent practitioner” that can be expected by the practitioner's peers and a “reasonable patient,” and not the opinions offered by experts.

The standard of care expects that the average, reasonable airway practitioner ought to be able to do all of the following EXCEPT:

A. be able to manage an unanticipated difficult airway

B. be an expert and be able to use a flexible bronchoscope to intubate immediately in the face of a CICV airway

C. be facile with one or two rescue devices or techniques in the face of a failed airway

D. be able to perform a surgical airway

E. be able to recognize and manage a failed airway

(B) The standard of care does not expect the average, reasonable airway practitioner to be an expert and have the expertise in using highly technical airway techniques.