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Quizzes > Quizzes for Business > Healthcare

Emergency Airway and Head Trauma Knowledge Test

Evaluate Critical Airway and Head Trauma Skills

Difficulty: Moderate
Questions: 20
Learning OutcomesStudy Material
Colorful paper art displaying symbols related to Emergency Airway and Head Trauma quiz

Ready to challenge your understanding of emergency airway and head trauma care? This trauma quiz offers 15 targeted questions to sharpen skills in airway management, spine stabilization, and injury assessment. Ideal for EMTs, medical students, and trauma nurses seeking a quick knowledge check. Feel free to customize the questions in our editor to match your training needs. Explore related assessments like the Emergency Medicine Head and Neck Infection Quiz or the EMT Trauma Assessment Knowledge Test, and browse more quizzes.

Easy
Which of the following is a classic sign of partial upper airway obstruction in a head trauma patient?
Stridor
Hypotension
Bradycardia
Jaundice
Stridor is a high-pitched noise that indicates narrowing of the upper airway, a hallmark of partial obstruction. The other options are unrelated to airway patency.
What is the recommended manual technique to open the airway while maintaining cervical spine stabilization in a suspected head trauma patient?
Head-tilt - chin-lift
Triple airway maneuver
Finger sweep
Jaw-thrust maneuver
The jaw-thrust maneuver opens the airway without extending the cervical spine, minimizing risk of spinal cord injury. The head-tilt - chin-lift can move the neck and is contraindicated.
In an unconscious trauma patient with no gag reflex, which airway adjunct is most appropriate to maintain patency?
Oropharyngeal airway
Laryngeal mask airway
Tracheostomy tube
Nasopharyngeal airway
An oropharyngeal airway prevents the tongue from obstructing the airway in an unconscious patient without a gag reflex. A nasopharyngeal airway is used when a gag reflex is present.
A GCS score of 8 or below in a head injury patient most strongly indicates which action?
Administer diuretics
Secure the airway with endotracheal intubation
Apply cervical collar only
Continue observational monitoring only
A Glasgow Coma Scale score of 8 or below indicates inadequate airway protection and is a standard threshold for endotracheal intubation. Observation alone is insufficient.
Which sign suggests basal skull fracture, making a nasopharyngeal airway contraindicated?
Clear fluid draining from the nose (CSF rhinorrhea)
Muffled voice
Snoring respirations
Inspiratory stridor
CSF rhinorrhea indicates a basal skull fracture, and inserting a nasopharyngeal airway risks intracranial placement. The other signs do not imply skull base injury.
Medium
During rapid sequence intubation in head trauma, what is the primary purpose of applying cricoid pressure (Sellick's maneuver)?
Control airway bleeding
Open the airway
Prevent gastric aspiration
Stabilize the cervical spine
Cricoid pressure compresses the esophagus to reduce risk of regurgitation and aspiration. It does not directly open the airway or stabilize the spine.
In prehospital settings, which supraglottic device is most often used when endotracheal intubation is not possible?
Laryngeal mask airway
Oropharyngeal airway
Tracheostomy tube
Nasal trumpet
A laryngeal mask airway provides a quick, non-invasive way to secure ventilation when intubation fails. Nasal and oropharyngeal airways do not protect against aspiration.
What is the main reason to hyperventilate a head-injured patient during prehospital care?
Lower heart rate
Improve oxygen saturation
Reduce intracranial pressure in signs of herniation
Treat hypotension
Controlled hyperventilation lowers PaCO₂ and can reduce intracranial pressure in the presence of herniation signs. It is not indicated purely for oxygenation or hemodynamic effects.
Which finding on auscultation and monitoring confirms correct endotracheal tube placement?
Stomach gurgling and absence of waveform
Unilateral breath sounds only
Bilateral breath sounds and a consistent end-tidal CO₂ waveform
No audible breath sounds
Bilateral breath sounds coupled with a persistent end-tidal CO₂ waveform indicate tracheal placement. Gastric sounds or lack of CO₂ suggest misplacement.
When considering cervical spine stabilization, what technique ensures minimal neck movement during intubation?
Applying pressure on the thyroid cartilage
Tracheostomy first
Manual inline stabilization
Rigid collar alone
Manual inline stabilization allows intubation with hands maintaining head alignment. A collar alone does not fully prevent movement during airway manipulation.
In a conscious trauma patient with an intact gag reflex, which airway adjunct is preferred?
Nasopharyngeal airway
Endotracheal tube
Emergency cricothyrotomy
Oropharyngeal airway
A nasopharyngeal airway can be inserted without triggering the gag reflex. An oropharyngeal airway would provoke gagging in a conscious patient.
Which of the following is a contraindication to nasopharyngeal airway insertion in head trauma?
Bradycardia
Low Glasgow Coma Scale score
Mild facial swelling only
Suspected basal skull fracture
Basal skull fractures risk intracranial insertion of a nasopharyngeal airway. GCS and vital signs alone do not contraindicate its use.
Which induction agent is commonly chosen for rapid sequence intubation in head injury patients to minimize hemodynamic changes and intracranial pressure?
Midazolam
Etomidate
Ketamine
Propofol
Etomidate provides rapid onset with minimal effects on blood pressure and intracranial pressure. Propofol can cause hypotension, and ketamine raises intracranial pressure.
For a patient with suspected cervical spine injury, which imaging technique is first used to clear the spine before airway manipulation?
MRI of the head
Ultrasound of the neck
X-ray of the thoracic spine
CT scan of the cervical spine
A cervical spine CT scan rapidly identifies fractures and clears the spine. MRI and other modalities are not first-line in the acute setting.
Which factor is most important when choosing an airway management method in prehospital traumatic brain injury care?
Time of day
Patient's height
Weather conditions
Provider skill level
The provider's expertise determines which airway technique can be safely and effectively performed in the field. Patient anthropometrics and environment are secondary considerations.
Hard
In a trauma patient with severe facial fractures and inability to intubate or ventilate by mask, what is the next best airway intervention?
Supraglottic airway
Oropharyngeal airway
Nasopharyngeal airway
Surgical cricothyrotomy
When both mask ventilation and oral intubation fail due to facial trauma, a surgical cricothyrotomy secures the airway below the level of obstruction. Supraglottic devices may not bypass the injury.
Which component of Cushing's triad can be an early sign of increased intracranial pressure requiring immediate airway and ventilation management?
Hyperreflexia
Bradycardia
Tachypnea
Tachycardia
Bradycardia in the context of head injury is part of Cushing's triad and indicates rising intracranial pressure. Tachycardia and other signs are not components of this triad.
When performing needle cricothyrotomy, what ventilation method is applied through the cannula?
Low-flow nasal cannula
Ambu bag without adapter
Humidified air via mask
High-pressure oxygen insufflation with a jet ventilator
Jet ventilation delivers oxygen under high pressure through the small-bore cannula of a needle cricothyrotomy. Low-flow systems cannot overcome the cannula resistance.
In prolonged prehospital care with hypoxia and rising intracranial pressure, which advanced monitoring parameter guides ventilation targets?
Oxygen saturation above 90% only
Heart rate monitoring
End-tidal CO₂ targeting 30 - 35 mmHg
Blood pressure trending alone
Monitoring end-tidal CO₂ ensures adequate ventilation and PaCO₂ control, critical for intracranial pressure management. Oxygen saturation alone does not reflect CO₂ levels.
A polytrauma patient with unstable cervical spine, facial trauma, and GCS 7 arrives. Which airway management strategy balances cervical spine protection and oxygenation?
Blind nasotracheal intubation
Rapid sequence intubation with head tilt
Awake fiberoptic intubation with inline stabilization
Laryngeal mask airway insertion without stabilization
Awake fiberoptic intubation allows visualization of the airway while maintaining inline stabilization. Blind or head-tilt methods risk further spinal injury or failure in facial trauma.
0
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Learning Outcomes

  1. Analyse airway obstruction signs in head trauma scenarios
  2. Identify appropriate airway management techniques for trauma patients
  3. Apply cervical spine stabilization protocols during airway interventions
  4. Evaluate indications for advanced airway placement in head injury
  5. Demonstrate correct use of airway adjuncts in emergency settings
  6. Master decision-making for prehospital trauma airway care

Cheat Sheet

  1. Recognize airway obstruction signs in head trauma - After a knock to the head, listen for noisy stridor, bubbling gurgles, or an eerie silence where breaths should be heard. These clues signal a blocked airway and demand quick action to restore airflow. Early detection can be the difference between life and serious harm. Airway management
  2. Master the head-tilt/chin-lift maneuver - This classic move opens the airway by gently tilting the head back and lifting the chin, like flipping open a trapdoor at the jawline. Use it when you're confident there's no cervical spine injury to keep the lungs happily ventilated. Practice makes perfect - soon you'll be doing it in your sleep! Head tilt/Chin lift
  3. Learn the jaw-thrust maneuver - When you suspect a neck injury, slide your fingers behind the jaw angles and lift forward without tilting the head. This clever trick protects the spine while opening the airway, acting like a back-safe version of chin-lift. It's a trauma team's secret weapon! Jaw-thrust maneuver
  4. Understand cervical spine stabilization - Treat the neck like a fragile treasure chest - keep it aligned at all times during airway care. Use manual in-line stabilization or a rigid collar to prevent bones from shifting and causing more damage. Safe spine, saved patient! Basic airway management
  5. Identify when to use oropharyngeal airways (OPAs) - In unconscious patients lacking a gag reflex, an OPA props the tongue and airway open like a tiny doorstop. Measure from mouth corner to earlobe, insert gently, and watch breathing improve instantly. It's a quick and satisfying fix! Oropharyngeal airway
  6. Recognize indications for advanced airway placement - If a severe head injury or respiratory failure threatens breathing, plan for endotracheal intubation right away. A tube past the vocal cords secures airflow and protects the lungs, especially in critical moments. Be ready to step up when basic methods aren't enough. Advanced airway management
  7. Practice using airway adjuncts - Get hands-on with nasopharyngeal airways and laryngeal mask airways - your trusty sidekicks in tricky scenarios. Mastering these devices expands your emergency toolkit and boosts confidence. Remember: rehearsal wins the day! Advanced airway management
  8. Apply the "ABC" approach - Your trauma care mantra: Airway first, then Breathing, then Circulation. Following this order keeps you focused and ensures no critical step is skipped under pressure. It's like having a built-in safety checklist in your head! Airway management
  9. Understand the recovery position - For unconscious but breathing patients, roll them gently onto their side with one knee bent to stop them from rolling forward. This simple posture prevents fluids from pooling in the throat and reduces aspiration risk. A small move can make a big difference! Basic airway management
  10. Stay updated on airway management guidelines - Medicine moves fast, so bookmark trusted sources and revisit protocols regularly to keep your skills cutting-edge. Consistent review means you'll always be ready with the latest and greatest techniques. Knowledge is your best airway adjunct! Airway management
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