Anesthesia Technologist Practice Exam

In the event of an unanticipated difficult airway, what should the anesthetist do first?

1. Call for assistance immediately

2. Reposition the patient and try a different size blade

3. Administer additional sedatives

4. Proceed with emergency intubation

The correct answer is: Reposition the patient and try a different size blade

In the scenario of an unanticipated difficult airway, the first step should typically involve repositioning the patient and attempting to use a different size blade for intubation. This approach is grounded in the principle of optimizing the anatomical alignment of the airway to facilitate a successful intubation. By adjusting the patient's position—often moving the head into a better position—along with using an appropriate blade that suits the patient's anatomy, the anesthetist can improve visibility and access to the vocal cords, significantly increasing the chances of successful intubation. Using this least invasive initial intervention allows for a more measured response before escalating the situation to calling for assistance or administering additional sedatives, which could complicate the airway management further. It is crucial to utilize available techniques and tools effectively before considering more aggressive actions, such as emergency intubation, which may carry higher risks and require additional resources. Given this framework, the option of repositioning the patient and trying a different size blade stands out as the most prudent first step in effectively managing an unanticipated difficult airway.