Anesthesia Technologist Practice Exam

If only the hard palate is visualized during an airway assessment, how is this classified on the Mallampati scale?

1. Class I

2. Class II

3. Class III

4. Class IV

The correct answer is: Class IV

When only the hard palate is visualized during an airway assessment, it is classified as Class IV on the Mallampati scale. The Mallampati scale is used to predict the ease of endotracheal intubation based on the visibility of structures in the oral cavity when the patient is sitting upright with their mouth open and tongue protruded. In Class IV, the anatomical structures that are visible are very limited, typically only the hard palate. This suggests a potentially difficult airway due to a lack of visibility of the soft palate, fauces, and uvula. A Class IV classification indicates that the chances of encountering challenges during intubation are higher, prompting the anesthesia provider to prepare for alternative airway management strategies. The other classifications (Class I, II, and III) indicate progressively more structures visible beyond just the hard palate, with Class I showing complete visualization of the soft palate, uvula, and fauces. Therefore, the visualization of only the hard palate clearly aligns with the criteria for Class IV in the Mallampati scale.