Chapter 54: Airway Management of the Pregnant Trauma Victim

Chapter 54. Airway Management of the Pregnant Trauma Victim

Which of the following anesthetic induction agents has been shown in clinical trials to be safe for a pregnant patient?

A. etomidate

B. propofol

C. thiopental

D. ketamine

E. none of the above

(E) No high-quality evidence confirms that any of these medications are absolutely safe during pregnancy though all are used routinely.

During a rapid sequence induction for an emergency cesarean section, you are neither able to intubate nor oxygenate the patient. Which of the following is NOT an appropriate course of action?

A. repeat laryngoscopy and intubation

B. ventilation using Combitube™

C. immediate preparations for cricothyrotomy

D. ventilation using an LMA

E. relaxing cricoid pressure to determine if BMV can be improved

(A) In a “can’ intubate, can’t oxygenate” situation, all of the options are acceptable except to repeat a “failed” technique.

Which of the following is NOT an indication to deliver the fetus in a trauma victim who is 37 weeks pregnant?

A. to aid in the resuscitation of the mother, the fetus must be delivered in an expeditious fashion

B. maternal cardiac arrest

C. hemodynamically stable mother and the fetus is showing signs of terminal fetal distress with severe fetal bradycardia

D. the mother is hemodynamically unstable secondary to hemorrhage and placental abruption

E. maternal respiratory arrest

(E) In a respiratory arrest, the most important management is to restore ventilation and oxygenation immediately.