Anesthesia Technologist Practice Exam

Which of the following areas is affected by using a left-sided double lumen tube more frequently than a right-sided tube?

1. Patient recovery time

2. Ease of placement

3. Measurements of blood pressure

4. Duration of the surgery

The correct answer is: Ease of placement

The use of a left-sided double lumen tube is related to anatomical considerations and the placement of the tube itself. A left-sided double lumen tube is generally preferred due to the natural curvature of the trachea and bronchi, as it tends to fit more comfortably and stably within the left mainstem bronchus. This anatomical advantage can facilitate easier and more successful placement of the tube during intubation. In contrast, right-sided double lumen tubes can be more challenging to position correctly because they may inadvertently enter the right mainstem bronchus, leading to improper ventilation of the left lung. Consequently, the ease with which a left-sided double lumen tube can be placed reflects the anatomical alignment with the bronchial pathways, thus contributing to its preference in clinical use. The other areas listed do not directly relate to the choice of double lumen tube. For instance, patient recovery time is influenced by multiple factors beyond tube placement, such as the overall surgical procedure and anesthesia used. Similarly, measurements of blood pressure are typically unaffected by which side the tube is placed, and duration of surgery is not inherently related to the type of double lumen tube selected. Therefore, the ease of placement is the most directly impacted area when considering the frequency of using left-sided double lumen tubes compared