Hands-on training in airway management and procedures MCQs – Anesthesia

By: Prof. Dr. Fazal Rehman Shamil | Last updated: September 13, 2024

1. What is the primary goal of airway management in anesthesia?

  • A) To ensure patient comfort during the procedure
  • B) To maintain an open and secure airway for adequate ventilation
  • C) To minimize the use of anesthetic agents
  • D) To expedite the surgical procedure

Answer: B) To maintain an open and secure airway for adequate ventilation

2. Which device is commonly used to secure the airway in an unconscious patient?

  • A) Nasal cannula
  • B) Endotracheal tube
  • C) Laryngeal mask airway (LMA)
  • D) Face mask

Answer: B) Endotracheal tube

3. What is the purpose of a laryngeal mask airway (LMA)?

  • A) To intubate the trachea
  • B) To provide continuous positive airway pressure
  • C) To establish a clear airway without tracheal intubation
  • D) To deliver high-flow oxygen therapy

Answer: C) To establish a clear airway without tracheal intubation

4. When is a bag-mask ventilation technique used?

  • A) During awake intubation
  • B) To assist ventilation in patients with spontaneous breathing
  • C) To provide general anesthesia
  • D) To perform endotracheal intubation

Answer: B) To assist ventilation in patients with spontaneous breathing

5. What is a common complication of endotracheal intubation?

  • A) Nasal congestion
  • B) Esophageal intubation
  • C) Hypoventilation
  • D) Skin rash

Answer: B) Esophageal intubation

6. What is the purpose of using a laryngoscope during intubation?

  • A) To administer medication
  • B) To visualize the vocal cords and facilitate tube placement
  • C) To measure blood pressure
  • D) To monitor heart rate

Answer: B) To visualize the vocal cords and facilitate tube placement

7. How should an anesthesiologist manage a difficult airway?

  • A) Proceed with standard intubation techniques without adjustment
  • B) Use alternative airway devices, such as a video laryngoscope or fiberoptic bronchoscope
  • C) Cancel the procedure
  • D) Rely solely on bag-mask ventilation

Answer: B) Use alternative airway devices, such as a video laryngoscope or fiberoptic bronchoscope

8. What is the role of cricoid pressure during intubation?

  • A) To facilitate airway suctioning
  • B) To reduce the risk of aspiration by occluding the esophagus
  • C) To enhance the effectiveness of bag-mask ventilation
  • D) To measure airway resistance

Answer: B) To reduce the risk of aspiration by occluding the esophagus

9. Which technique is used to confirm correct endotracheal tube placement?

  • A) Capnography
  • B) Pulse oximetry
  • C) Blood gas analysis
  • D) Chest X-ray

Answer: A) Capnography

10. What is a potential risk of using a nasotracheal tube?

  • A) Airway obstruction
  • B) Nasal bleeding or injury
  • C) Increased airway resistance
  • D) Esophageal intubation

Answer: B) Nasal bleeding or injury

11. How can an anesthesiologist minimize the risk of airway trauma during intubation?

  • A) Use excessive force during intubation
  • B) Ensure proper alignment of the patient’s airway and use appropriate-sized tubes
  • C) Avoid using laryngoscopy
  • D) Rush the intubation process

Answer: B) Ensure proper alignment of the patient’s airway and use appropriate-sized tubes

12. What is the primary benefit of using a video laryngoscope?

  • A) It eliminates the need for intubation
  • B) It provides enhanced visualization of the vocal cords and airway
  • C) It replaces the need for preoperative assessments
  • D) It simplifies the bag-mask ventilation process

Answer: B) It provides enhanced visualization of the vocal cords and airway

13. In which situation would a fiberoptic bronchoscope be most useful?

  • A) Routine intubation of an unconscious patient
  • B) When there is a known difficult airway or suspected airway obstruction
  • C) During standard bag-mask ventilation
  • D) For administering general anesthesia

Answer: B) When there is a known difficult airway or suspected airway obstruction

14. What is a critical step in the management of an extubated patient?

  • A) Immediately discharge the patient
  • B) Monitor the patient for signs of airway obstruction and ensure adequate ventilation
  • C) Proceed with another intubation attempt
  • D) Avoid any further assessment

Answer: B) Monitor the patient for signs of airway obstruction and ensure adequate ventilation

15. Which of the following is a contraindication for using a laryngeal mask airway (LMA)?

  • A) Severe gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
  • B) Obstructive sleep apnea
  • C) Patient with a high risk of aspiration
  • D) Unconscious patient requiring ventilation

Answer: C) Patient with a high risk of aspiration

16. How should an anesthesiologist prepare for a difficult airway scenario?

  • A) Only use the standard airway equipment
  • B) Have alternative airway management tools readily available, such as a video laryngoscope or surgical airway kit
  • C) Delay the procedure until a different anesthesiologist is available
  • D) Proceed without additional preparation

Answer: B) Have alternative airway management tools readily available, such as a video laryngoscope or surgical airway kit

17. What is the main advantage of using a Bougie during intubation?

  • A) It reduces the need for anesthesia
  • B) It helps navigate the endotracheal tube through a difficult airway
  • C) It eliminates the need for laryngoscopy
  • D) It provides oxygen supplementation

Answer: B) It helps navigate the endotracheal tube through a difficult airway

18. What should be done if the endotracheal tube is misplaced in the esophagus?

  • A) Continue ventilation through the tube
  • B) Remove the tube and attempt reintubation with proper visualization
  • C) Use a different airway device without addressing the tube placement
  • D) Leave the tube in place and adjust ventilation settings

Answer: B) Remove the tube and attempt reintubation with proper visualization

19. What is the purpose of using a cuffed endotracheal tube?

  • A) To provide a more comfortable airway
  • B) To create a seal in the trachea, preventing air leaks and aspiration
  • C) To reduce the need for anesthesia
  • D) To facilitate easier extubation

Answer: B) To create a seal in the trachea, preventing air leaks and aspiration

20. Which airway management technique is appropriate for a patient with a known airway obstruction?

  • A) Standard intubation
  • B) Bag-mask ventilation
  • C) Fiberoptic intubation
  • D) Laryngeal mask airway (LMA)

Answer: C) Fiberoptic intubation

21. What is the key consideration when choosing the size of an endotracheal tube?

  • A) The patient’s weight
  • B) The patient’s age and airway anatomy
  • C) The type of surgical procedure
  • D) The length of the tube

Answer: B) The patient’s age and airway anatomy

22. How should an anesthesiologist manage a patient who exhibits signs of airway obstruction post-extubation?

  • A) Discharge the patient immediately
  • B) Re-intubate the patient or use alternative airway management strategies as needed
  • C) Provide supplemental oxygen and monitor without further action
  • D) Refer the patient to another specialist

Answer: B) Re-intubate the patient or use alternative airway management strategies as needed

23. What is a common sign of a difficult airway that might require advanced management techniques?

  • A) Normal oxygen saturation levels
  • B) Difficulty visualizing the vocal cords during laryngoscopy
  • C) Stable vital signs
  • D) Clear breath sounds

Answer: B) Difficulty visualizing the vocal cords during laryngoscopy

24. When is the use of a surgical airway (e.g., cricothyrotomy) indicated?

  • A) For routine intubation
  • B) When all other airway management techniques have failed or are not feasible
  • C) During standard anesthesia induction
  • D) For post-operative care

Answer: B) When all other airway management techniques have failed or are not feasible

25. What is a primary benefit of using capnography during anesthesia?

  • A) It measures blood pressure
  • B) It monitors end-tidal carbon dioxide levels, indicating proper ventilation
  • C) It assesses the patient’s heart rate
  • D) It provides real-time imaging of the airway

Answer: B) It monitors end-tidal carbon dioxide levels, indicating proper ventilation

26. What should an anesthesiologist do if they encounter an unanticipated difficult airway?

  • A) Proceed with standard techniques without adjustment
  • B) Implement a stepwise approach using available tools and techniques, such as a video laryngoscope or bougie
  • C) Cancel the procedure immediately
  • D) Attempt intubation multiple times without reassessment

Answer: B) Implement a stepwise approach using available tools and techniques, such as a video laryngoscope or bougie

27. Which technique can be used to facilitate intubation in patients with limited neck mobility?

  • A) Nasotracheal intubation
  • B) Fiberoptic intubation
  • C) Bag-mask ventilation
  • D) Laryngeal mask airway (LMA)

Answer: B) Fiberoptic intubation

28. What is the main advantage of using a cuffed LMA compared to a traditional LMA?

  • A) It provides better airway sealing and reduces the risk of aspiration
  • B) It is more comfortable for the patient
  • C) It simplifies the intubation process
  • D) It eliminates the need for anesthesia

Answer: A) It provides better airway sealing and reduces the risk of aspiration

29. How should an anesthesiologist manage a patient with known difficult airway characteristics?

  • A) Use standard intubation techniques
  • B) Plan and prepare for advanced airway management techniques, including having appropriate equipment available
  • C) Avoid any preoperative assessment
  • D) Use only a laryngoscope

Answer: B) Plan and prepare for advanced airway management techniques, including having appropriate equipment available

30. What is the purpose of using an endotracheal tube stylet?

  • A) To increase the flexibility of the endotracheal tube
  • B) To provide rigidity and facilitate easier insertion of the endotracheal tube
  • C) To administer medication
  • D) To measure airway pressure

Answer: B) To provide rigidity and facilitate easier insertion of the endotracheal tube

31. When should a fiberoptic bronchoscope be used for airway management?

  • A) During routine intubation
  • B) In cases of anticipated difficult airway where visualization of the airway is challenging
  • C) For post-operative airway management
  • D) During routine bag-mask ventilation

Answer: B) In cases of anticipated difficult airway where visualization of the airway is challenging

32. What is an important consideration when performing bag-mask ventilation?

  • A) Using a small mask size to fit all patients
  • B) Ensuring a proper seal around the patient’s face and adjusting ventilation pressure as needed
  • C) Avoiding the use of supplemental oxygen
  • D) Using excessive force to create a seal

Answer: B) Ensuring a proper seal around the patient’s face and adjusting ventilation pressure as needed

33. What is the key advantage of using a video laryngoscope over a traditional laryngoscope?

  • A) It eliminates the need for intubation
  • B) It provides a clearer and magnified view of the vocal cords and airway
  • C) It simplifies bag-mask ventilation
  • D) It reduces the need for anesthesia

Answer: B) It provides a clearer and magnified view of the vocal cords and airway

34. How should an anesthesiologist handle accidental extubation?

  • A) Ignore the situation and continue monitoring
  • B) Immediately re-intubate or use alternative airway management techniques to secure the airway
  • C) Discharge the patient immediately
  • D) Delay intervention and monitor closely

Answer: B) Immediately re-intubate or use alternative airway management techniques to secure the airway

35. What is a common indication for using a bougie during intubation?

  • A) To measure blood pressure
  • B) To help guide the endotracheal tube through a difficult airway
  • C) To provide supplemental oxygen
  • D) To assess airway resistance

Answer: B) To help guide the endotracheal tube through a difficult airway

36. Which condition may warrant the use of a double-lumen endotracheal tube?

  • A) Routine intubation
  • B) Need for independent ventilation of each lung, such as in cases of unilateral lung disease
  • C) Post-operative airway management
  • D) Standard bag-mask ventilation

Answer: B) Need for independent ventilation of each lung, such as in cases of unilateral lung disease

37. What is a key consideration when selecting an airway device for a patient with a high risk of aspiration?

  • A) Using a nasal airway device
  • B) Choosing a device that provides an effective seal, such as a cuffed endotracheal tube or LMA
  • C) Avoiding the use of any airway device
  • D) Using a small-size device

Answer: B) Choosing a device that provides an effective seal, such as a cuffed endotracheal tube or LMA

38. What is the role of capnography in airway management?

  • A) To monitor the patient’s heart rate
  • B) To confirm proper placement of the endotracheal tube by measuring exhaled carbon dioxide
  • C) To measure blood pressure
  • D) To provide real-time imaging of the airway

Answer: B) To confirm proper placement of the endotracheal tube by measuring exhaled carbon dioxide

39. How can an anesthesiologist minimize the risk of airway obstruction in the postoperative period?

  • A) Discharge the patient immediately
  • B) Monitor the patient closely for signs of airway obstruction and provide appropriate interventions as needed
  • C) Avoid post-operative monitoring
  • D) Use a smaller endotracheal tube

Answer: B) Monitor the patient closely for signs of airway obstruction and provide appropriate interventions as needed

40. What is an essential step in managing an airway emergency?

  • A) Rely on routine procedures without modification
  • B) Assess the situation quickly, use appropriate airway management techniques, and have backup plans ready
  • C) Delay intervention to assess the situation
  • D) Use only verbal communication to address the emergency

Answer: B) Assess the situation quickly, use appropriate airway management techniques, and have backup plans ready

41. What is a common feature of a video laryngoscope compared to a standard laryngoscope?

  • A) It provides a direct view of the vocal cords
  • B) It offers an indirect view of the vocal cords on a monitor
  • C) It eliminates the need for intubation
  • D) It provides supplemental oxygen

Answer: B) It offers an indirect view of the vocal cords on a monitor

42. How should an anesthesiologist manage a patient with a large neck mass that complicates airway management?

  • A) Use a standard intubation approach
  • B) Use advanced airway management techniques such as a fiberoptic bronchoscope or alternative airway devices
  • C) Cancel the procedure
  • D) Proceed with bag-mask ventilation only

Answer: B) Use advanced airway management techniques such as a fiberoptic bronchoscope or alternative airway devices

43. What is the primary purpose of a cuffed endotracheal tube?

  • A) To reduce patient discomfort
  • B) To create a seal in the trachea, preventing air leaks and aspiration
  • C) To facilitate easy extubation
  • D) To administer medications

Answer: B) To create a seal in the trachea, preventing air leaks and aspiration

44. What is the recommended approach if an anesthesiologist encounters a failed intubation attempt?

  • A) Continue with the same technique
  • B) Use alternative airway management strategies, such as a video laryngoscope or bougie
  • C) Ignore the issue and proceed with the procedure
  • D) Refer the patient to another provider immediately

Answer: B) Use alternative airway management strategies, such as a video laryngoscope or bougie

45. How can an anesthesiologist effectively manage airway patency during a procedure?

  • A) Focus only on the surgical aspect
  • B) Continuously monitor the airway and adjust management techniques as needed
  • C) Avoid any intervention during the procedure
  • D) Use a single airway device for all patients

Answer: B) Continuously monitor the airway and adjust management techniques as needed

46. What is the key consideration when using a fiberoptic bronchoscope for intubation?

  • A) The patient’s level of consciousness
  • B) The size of the bronchoscope
  • C) The patient’s airway anatomy and ability to tolerate the procedure
  • D) The type of anesthetic used

Answer: C) The patient’s airway anatomy and ability

Topic-wise Anesthesia MCQs

  1. Anesthesiology MCQs
  2. Anesthesia Basics:
  3. Anesthesia Agents MCQs:
  4. Airway Management:
  5. Anesthesia Monitoring MCQs – Anesthesia:
  6. Regional Anesthesia MCQs :
  7. Patient Assessment and Optimization:
  8. Anesthesia Delivery Systems MCQs:
  9. Pediatric Anesthesia MCQs :
  10. Obstetric Anesthesia MCQs – Anesthesia:
  11. Anesthesia Complications and Emergencies MCQs:
  12. Post-Anesthesia Care MCQs:
  13. Geriatric Anesthesia:
  14. Ethics and Professionalism in Anesthesia MCQs:
  15. Simulation and Skills Training MCQs :