Chapter 8: Bag-Mask-Ventilation

Chapter 8. Bag-Mask-Ventilation

Functional upper airway obstruction in the unconscious patient involves soft tissue collapse between

A. the tongue and the posterior pharynx

B. the epiglottis and the posterior pharynx

C. the soft palate and the posterior pharynx

D. the tongue and the palate

E. all of the above

(E) All of the above. All of these obstructions may be relieved by a combination of placing an OPA and performing a jaw thrust.

The most effective means of relieving a non-pathologic upper airway obstruction in the unconscious patient is

A. placing the patient in sniffing position

B. placing a nasopharyngeal airway

C. simple extension of the neck

D. performing a jaw thrust

E. placing an extraglottic device

(D) Performance of a jaw thrust has been shown to be the single most effective means of relieving a non-pathologic obstruction in the unconscious patient.

Difficult mask-ventilation is associated with

A. increasing age

B. Mallampati II or III

C. difficult laryngoscopy

D. the presence of dentures

E. A and C

(E) Increasing age is a multifactorial risk factor likely representing a combination of decreased tissue elasticity, neck and jaw mobility, and lack of teeth. Difficult laryngoscopy is an important predictor for DMV.