Anesthesia Technologist Practice Exam

What is the primary action taken to establish a temporary airway during a cricothyrotomy?

1. Insert a tracheostomy tube

2. Insert a 14 gauge IV catheter through the cricothyrotomy membrane

3. Administer medication for sedation

4. Perform a bronchoscopy

The correct answer is: Insert a 14 gauge IV catheter through the cricothyrotomy membrane

The primary action taken to establish a temporary airway during a cricothyrotomy involves inserting a 14-gauge IV catheter through the cricothyrotomy membrane. This procedure is typically performed in emergency situations when other methods of securing an airway have failed or are not possible. Cricothyrotomy is done by making an incision through the skin over the cricothyroid membrane, which is located between the thyroid and cricoid cartilages in the neck. By inserting the 14-gauge catheter directly through this membrane, a conduit is created for ventilation, allowing the patient to receive oxygenation when intubation through the mouth is impossible. The use of a large-bore IV catheter provides adequate airflow due to its diameter, facilitating emergency respiratory support. In contrast, other options, such as inserting a tracheostomy tube, involve creating a more definitive and longer-term airway and are not typically considered temporary measures. Administering medication for sedation is not an immediate action to secure an airway and may not even be advisable in critical situations requiring urgent airway management. Performing a bronchoscopy is used for visualization and intervention within the airways but is not a procedure associated with the establishment of a temporary airway through a cricothy