PCP Airway Management 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which of the following is a contraindication to inserting a nasopharyngeal airway?
- Intact gag reflex
- Suspected basal skull fracture (Correct answer)
- Nasal congestion
- Dental prosthetics
Correct answer: Suspected basal skull fracture
A suspected basal skull fracture contraindicates NPA insertion due to the risk of intracranial placement.
Question 2: What does a low SpO2 reading combined with normal skin color most likely indicate?
- Accurate reading — patient is fine
- Probe malposition or poor perfusion artifact (Correct answer)
- Carbon monoxide poisoning
- Hyperoxia
Correct answer: Probe malposition or poor perfusion artifact
Discordant SpO2 and clinical appearance often suggest probe malposition, poor perfusion, or sensor artifact rather than true hypoxia.
Question 3: During BVM ventilation, the mask should be held using which hand position?
- One hand cupping the chin
- E-C clamp technique (Correct answer)
- Two fingers on the mask rim only
- Palm seal across the face
Correct answer: E-C clamp technique
The E-C clamp technique uses the third, fourth, and fifth fingers to lift the jaw (E) while the thumb and index finger seal the mask (C).
Question 4: What is the appropriate ventilation rate for an apneic adult with a pulse?
- 6–8 breaths/min
- 10–12 breaths/min (Correct answer)
- 20–24 breaths/min
- 30 breaths/min
Correct answer: 10–12 breaths/min
An apneic adult with a pulse should be ventilated at 10–12 breaths per minute.
Question 5: A patient has noisy, snoring respirations while lying supine. The most likely cause is:
- Bronchospasm
- Tongue occluding the airway (Correct answer)
- Pulmonary edema
- Pneumothorax
Correct answer: Tongue occluding the airway
Snoring respirations in a supine patient are classically caused by the relaxed tongue falling back and partially obstructing the airway.
Question 6: Which oxygen delivery device provides the lowest concentration of supplemental oxygen?
- Non-rebreather mask
- Simple face mask
- Nasal cannula (Correct answer)
- Venturi mask at 28%
Correct answer: Nasal cannula
A nasal cannula delivers the lowest FiO2, typically 24–44% at 1–6 L/min.
PCP Airway Management 2
Which of the following is a contraindication to inserting a nasopharyngeal airway?